<table style="width: 112px; height: 42px" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="112" align="right" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="" src="/imagedata/2009/mar/oldie.jpg" border="0" /></td></tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p align="center"><span style="font-size: 8pt">I'll drink to that: Henry Allingham drinks a glass of champagne after receiving France's Legion d'Honneur.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Henry Allingham (112), the oldest Royal Navy veteran, was moved to tears as he received France's highest military honour in a ceremony at the official London residence of the French ambassador in recognition of his role in the First World War.<br /><br />"I'm so happy that I can be here with you today," he told the crowd of dignitaries and friends.<br />u00a0<br />"It means so much to me. I never thought in my wildest dreams that such a thing could happen."<br /><br />Allingham, who has dedicated much of his time in recent years to giving talks to schoolchildren about his experiences, also made a call for peace.<br /><br />"There will be no more wars, I hope. There will be one big nation," he said.<br /><br />The veteran, who lives at a care home for blind ex-service personnel near Brighton, has held the rank of chevalier, or knight, in the Legion d'Honneur since 2003 and was promoted this afternoon to the rank of officer. 

Henry Allingham (112), the oldest Royal Navy veteran, was moved to tears as he received France's highest military honour in a ceremony at the official London residence of the French ambassador in recognition of his role in the First World War.

Britain's oldest man and WWI veteran gets French honour

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Ganeshotsav 2026

Home / News / World News / Article / Britain's oldest man and WWI veteran gets French honour

Britain's oldest man and WWI veteran gets French honour

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Ganeshotsav 2026