On Thursday, 6 August 2009, the funeral of Henry (Harry) Patch took place at Wells Cathedral, Somerset.
Harry had died the previous month, aged 111 years. As one of many who attended the funeral ceremony that day, my mind during the proceedings constantly wandered back to just over a year ago when I had the privilege of meeting Harry at his home at Fletcher House in Wells.
I had never met Harry before but when my daughter informed me that she was going to interview and make a presentation to him for the newspaper she works for as a journalist, I just had to go with her. Earlier, in 2008, I had reviewed Harry's book, 'The Last Fighting Tommy' for the paper and I had gleaned from it his strong connection with Shropshire.
Following his exploits in the First World War, Harry met and married in 1919 his first wife Ada, a local girl, at Hadley. Harry, now together with Ada, spent a number of years working as a plumber in the area, living locally near what is now Telford where he enjoyed the Shropshire air and particularly climbing a hill called the 'The Wrekin'.
As we know , Harry returned to his home roots eventually and continued with his life, eventually moving to Fletcher House where he passed the latter years of his long life.
During his stay at the home, Harry expressed a wish to a friend that he would like to climb The Wrekin again (he was, by now, 100 years of age) and, although he was ready and willing to go, it was sensibly decided that it was not in his interests to do so. However, with the help of a friend, it was decided that if Harry couldn't get to the hill, then the hill would have to come to him.!
So, contact was made with my daughter Lisa and arrangements were made to obtain a watercolour painting of The Wrekin and present it to Harry at the home.
On Friday, 25 July 2008 we saw Harry at his nursing home with his friend, Chris (a retained firefighter), and my daughter presented Harry with the painting. His eyes lit up when he looked at the scene of so many happy memories from 90 years ago with Ada. His memory was a sharp as anybody, pointing out the various features on the painting of the summit where he walked so often all those years ago, as if it was yesterday (I sat there listening; mesmerised and extremely privileged).
Harry was as bright as a button and alert throughout our stay but after more than two hours we eventually left, with the memory of our meeting on our minds.
Its seems strange that Harry should pass away, exactly one year after that meeting. I have met a number of First World War veterans over the years which was, indeed, always very special. But meeting Harry, the last survivor of the trenches - and having visited the spot where he jumped off with his regiment at the Steenbeek, before Langemark, in 1917 - was an experience I will never forget.
God bless you, Harry. You have earned your rest.
Ken Rowley
