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| WWI veteran marks 110th birthday | WWI veteran marks 110th birthday |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The oldest surviving veteran of World War I's trench warfare is celebrating his 110th birthday. | The oldest surviving veteran of World War I's trench warfare is celebrating his 110th birthday. |
| Harry Patch, who was born in Combe Down, Somerset, was a plumber by trade before being called up. He was a private at the Battle of Passchendaele. | Harry Patch, who was born in Combe Down, Somerset, was a plumber by trade before being called up. He was a private at the Battle of Passchendaele. |
| A big party is planned at the care home in Wells where he now lives. | A big party is planned at the care home in Wells where he now lives. |
| Mr Patch attributes his long life to clean living, avoiding what he describes as the "three sins" of smoking, drinking and gambling. | |
| "For many years in Shropshire, I lived quite close to the Welsh mountains," he said. | "For many years in Shropshire, I lived quite close to the Welsh mountains," he said. |
| "Fresh air, no petrol and no cars, that's the secret." | "Fresh air, no petrol and no cars, that's the secret." |
| 'Not warlike' | 'Not warlike' |
| After the war, Mr Patch returned to work as a plumber and was also a key player in the construction of the Wills Memorial Building in Bristol. | After the war, Mr Patch returned to work as a plumber and was also a key player in the construction of the Wills Memorial Building in Bristol. |
| In 1999 he received the Legion D'Honneur medal awarded by the French government to some 350 surviving WWI veterans who fought on the Western Front. | In 1999 he received the Legion D'Honneur medal awarded by the French government to some 350 surviving WWI veterans who fought on the Western Front. |
| His life as a "Tommy" has been well-documented in books and films. | His life as a "Tommy" has been well-documented in books and films. |
| He is the second oldest UK survivor from World War I. The oldest is 112-year-old Henry Allingham, who fought in the Battle of Jutland rather than in the trenches like Mr Patch. | He is the second oldest UK survivor from World War I. The oldest is 112-year-old Henry Allingham, who fought in the Battle of Jutland rather than in the trenches like Mr Patch. |
| In March this year, poet laureate Andrew Motion composed a poem about Mr Patch. | In March this year, poet laureate Andrew Motion composed a poem about Mr Patch. |
| The Five Acts of Harry Patch was first read at a special event at the Bishop's Palace in Wells where it was introduced by the Prince of Wales. | The Five Acts of Harry Patch was first read at a special event at the Bishop's Palace in Wells where it was introduced by the Prince of Wales. |
| In his autobiography, The Last Fighting Tommy, he spoke of his aversion to war. | In his autobiography, The Last Fighting Tommy, he spoke of his aversion to war. |
| "Somerset people are not warlike - it is not something in our make-up," he wrote. | "Somerset people are not warlike - it is not something in our make-up," he wrote. |