Moldovanmickey
Thanks for the info. As you can see, I have removed, at least for the time being, the statement about Mr. Choules being the last living combatant. Sadly, I have too many things on my plate at the moment to read Mr. Choules' autobiography cover to cover, but I will when I get the chance. As I have said, I was relying solely on Mr. Choules' claim when I listed him as the last living combatant. In light of the information you have presented, perhaps I was premature in doing so. I don't think it would serve anyone's best interest to list Mr. Choules as a combatant in less it can be definitively be proven that HMS Revenge fired or took fire whilst he was on board. As Mr. Patch fought in the horrors of the trenches, the honor of the war's last living combatant should probably rest with him. By the way, in case you didn't know, Mr. Patch also wrote an autobiography. It is called The Last Fighting Tommy. Mr. Patch wrote the book when he was approximately the age that Mr. Choules now is. It is a fine book, and I would assume that it is available in the U.K. Thanks for your help, and please keep in touch.Mk5384 (talk) 02:11, 2 March 2010 (UTC)
Thanks for that. It appears we have somewhat of a dilemma here. As I have said, based on the nature of what Mr. Patch experienced during the war, my feeling is, again, that he should have the honor of being considered the last combatant, rather than giving it to Mr. Choules on a technicality. (Of course, whilst retaing the highest respect for Mr. Choules and his service.) However, Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, and accuracy should, of course, trump my opinion. The English language is a cruel mistress, indeed. Perhaps you could take the information that you were kind enough to add to my talk page, and repost it on the talk page of the surviving World War I veterans. This way everyone with an interest in this subject can weigh in, and once we get a consensus, we can decide just what the wording should be. All the best.Mk5384 (talk) 06:41, 3 March 2010 (UTC)
After giving it some more thought, I feel we may be headed down a slippery slope if we say that Mr. Choules was a combatant based on the 2nd definition of being ready to fight. If we were to do that, one could make the case that we must include Mr. Buckles as well. Although he never saw combat, he was on active duty, and one could conclude that he was therefore ready to fight at all times. I'm afraid I may have opened quite the can of worms here.Mk5384 (talk) 06:53, 3 March 2010 (UTC)Mk5384 (talk) 08:36, 3 March 2010 (UTC)
I would most appreciate it if you could send me that. My e-mail address is "true21aardvark@yahoo.co.uk". What amazing experiences they must have been. I have been awe of Mr. Patch for years; how I would have loved to have been able to attend.Mk5384 (talk) 08:36, 3 March 2010 (UTC)
Douglass Terrey
editThanks again for the e-mail. On the WWI living vets page, I have proposed removing Mr. Terrey after a period of 30 days if no one objects, or provides proof of his claim. One editor has weighed in with support for this proposal. As you have an obvious interest and knoweledge in this area, perhaps you would like to weigh in as well. All the best.Mk5384 (talk) 01:59, 4 March 2010 (UTC)
Thanks for weighing in on that. Your suggestion is a good one. Since I was the one who proposed the deletion, I am willing to take up the task of writing to them. Do you happen to have the address? All the best-Mk5384 (talk) 14:51, 5 March 2010 (UTC)
Hello there. The Royal Logistics Corps Museum, Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, Camberley, GU16 6RW, per the website [1], there is also a website for the Friends of the Royal Logistic Corps Museum at [2]. I wouldn't claim to have much knowledge about Armed Forces history, by the way! One further thought I had is to try to contact Richard van Endem for his opinion in view of this book [3], which I haven't read, although I seem to recall he made a fairly oblique reference to the Surviving First World War Veterans wikipdia pages in Harry Patch's book- I think he called it "slightly morbid" or something similar... I only mention this as as you know, Netherwood Hughes was never officially recognised as a veteran due to the absence of any records. I think wikipedians in the end took the view that if Dennis Goodwin recognised him, that was good enough! Of course, he got nowhere with Mr Terrey's case. Good luck! Moldovanmickey (talk) 17:49, 5 March 2010 (UTC)
Thanks so much for that. Sadly, I have a multitude of issuses in my personal life that need my attention at the moment, and I may have to take a break from editing for several weeks or so. But I will be back soon. Thanks again for all of your contributions, and I look forward to chatting with you in the near future. All the best-Mk5384 (talk) 21:04, 9 March 2010 (UTC)
Discussion on Talk:List of surviving veterans of World War I
editThere is a discussion about whether Alexander Imich should be included on the list.
As a frequent contributor on the talk page (more than 10 edits with a last edit in 2010), your thoughts would be appreciated.
The discussion is here
Regards, -- PhantomSteve/talk|contribs\ 16:48, 30 March 2010 (UTC)