pagesofhistory
Lasting Memories
The oldest surviving British veteran of World War I has died at
the age of 113. He leaves behind a legacy of service and honors
as one of the most respected veterans in the world.
H
enry Allingham, the world’s its grand opening June 19
oldest man and the oldest sur- with guest speaker Gen.
viving British veteran of World Colin Powell, USA-Ret.
War I, has died at the age of 113 in Oving- “This site is much more
dean, England. Born June 6, 1896, in Lon- than a mere memorial, and
don, Allingham joined the Royal Naval Air the word museum is entirely
Service as an aircraft mechanic in 1915. inadequate to describe it,”
At the Battle of Jutland, Allingham Powell said. “It’s the only
served aboard the armed trawler HMT attraction in the country
Kingfi sher, which was sent to meet up with to tell the story of the infan-
the British fl eet as it fought the Germans try from the perspective of
off the coast of what now is mainland Den- the soldier,” Powell said.
mark. He later was sent to France to sup- Some 6,000 people at-
port the Royal Flying Corps. His job as a tended the opening of the
mechanic was to service aircraft, but pilots museum, located outside the
often would ask their mechanics to fl y with gates of Fort Benning.
them, so Allingham would sit behind a pilot The 190,000-square-foot
and drop bombs or operate a machine gun. facility, boasting more than
After the war, Allingham remained a re- 30,000 artifacts, offers visitors a look at Henry Allingham,
servist, and during World War II he worked every war fought by the U.S. throughout 112 years old in this
on providing countermeasures to German the past two centuries. A special gallery 2008 photo, lived to
magnetic mines. Allingham often was seen recognizes Medal of Honor recipients, be Britain’s oldest
in his later years at memorial events honor- with a computer kiosk that allows visi- war veteran at the
ing the memory of fallen troops. tors to look up full citations for each re- age of 113.
cipient. Another gallery pays tribute to
Infantry Museum Opens infantrymen’s family members, including
T
he new $100 million National an oral history booth where families can
Infantry Museum and Soldier record their personal stories and a space
Center in Columbus, Ga., (www for children where they can play and
.nationalinfantrymuseum.com) celebrated even try on costumes.
Visitors of the museum can enjoy an
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
IMAX Theater, a restaurant, and a gift
store. Patriot Park also features a parade
■ On Nov. 9, 1989, East Germany announced an
easing of travel restrictions to the West, with thou-
fi eld for Fort Benning Infantry School
sands demanding passage through the Berlin Wall.
graduations, a memorial walk of honor,
Crowds of jubilant Germans chipped away at the
and an authentically recreated World War
wall, and the path to reunification was set.
II Company Street. MO
PHOTO: TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS/CORBIS NOVEMBER 2009 MILITARY OFFICER 77
NNov_history.indd Sec1:77ov_history.indd Sec1:77 110/6/09 1:40 PM0/6/09 1:40 PM
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