The Last Tommy - BBC1

[FourWheelDrift]

On BBC1 now a film from 2003 with 27 survivors of the Great War.

Sad, as today there are just 5 veterans of WWI still with us.

[wedg1e]

Ironic, isn't it: thousands of people hanging on the every word of some old duffer they don't know. When my grandad was still around (he saw WW1 although he was a couple of years too young to fight in it, probably not a bad thing), nobody would sit and listen to the old feller wibbling on about the old days...

[FourWheelDrift]

Just 4 veterans left now it seems, it was 5 only last week.

[simpo two]

I was an extra with the Khaki Devils (who played the soldiers in The Last Tommy) for a programme to be screened next year. Having just watched The Last Tommy, I feel very privileged.






I can't find a :salute: icon.

[tombaron]

Very sad to think we are right at the very end of an era. Millions, now down to four. Something very special about the people. I wondered how many of them thought they would still be alive the next morning, let alone well into 2005?

[thegreatsoprendo]

A great programme; hearing these veterans stories makes you feel very humble indeed. I found Harry Patch's story and subsequent visit back to Belgium and Pilkem Ridge particularly moving.

[D_Mike]

Thanks for the reminder FWD... the program was great and I found it very moving. Henry patch has a point... Why kill a load of people and then sit down and discuss it afterwards anyway?

I enjoyed his story about the mutiny they had whilst waiting to be demobilised too.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Excellent TV - stuff like this that makes the licence fee worthwhile.

What a debt we owe those old fellas.

Why did they have to use the Schindler's List music, always makes me bawl!

[tombaron]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4456234.stm

[FourWheelDrift]

Yep, heard this on the news at lunchtime.

[Bitter'n'twisted]

Very sad (above). Another one gone.

Agree with what others have said. 'The Last Tommy' - one of the best things on TV for a long time.
Really makes you think.

[combover]

"But I think also there was a great sadness in his heart that he had outlived his generation - all his friends had died."

God that pulls on the heart-strings.


Combover