The name itself tells half the story ”” Harry Patch the humble private soldier who fought, came home and returned to a life of honourable obscurity. But Harry Patch, the last survivor of the First World War battlefields, was an extra-ordinary man. And that half of his character was only revealed when he was an old, old man.
For most of his life he had chosen not to talk about the blood and mud of France and Flanders. Then, as his years drew to a close, he began to bear witness to the sacrifice of his fallen comrades and he became the embodiment of the most famous line of First World War poetry: “At the going down of the sun … we will remember them”. The memories were proud, clear and untainted with anger. He mourned the death of the Germans, against whom he fought, as well as the loss of the men with whom he had stood shoulder to shoulder. The schoolchildren, who were his favourite audience, were not urged to rejoice in victory or glory in triumph. Harry Patch preached the gospel of reconciliation.
Yesterday, the order of service at his funeral in Wells Cathedral left no doubt about the message and meaning of his final days. The congregation sang, “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” ”” a threnody for young men who died in battle when Harry Patch had grown old. And still the world had not learnt the lesson.
Rest in Peace my comrad in arms. May God be good to you.