4 August 2004
Four World War One veterans aged between 103 and 106 commemorated the 90th anniversary of the start of World War One today at the Cenotaph in London.
It was the first time that the anniversary of the start of the First World War has been formally commemorated. It will also be the last time veterans are likely to attend any such event in the future.
The special Service of Remembrance was attended by Minister for Veterans Ivor Caplin, and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
The veterans who attended the ceremony were:
- Royal Naval Air First Mechanic Henry Allingham, aged 108, from Eastbourne, East Sussex
- Private Fred Lloyd, aged 106, from Uckfield, East Sussex served in the Royal Artillery
- Private John Oborne, aged 104, from Porthcawl, Mid-Glamorgan served in the Light Infantry - 52 Devonshire Regiment
- Royal Naval Chief Petty Officer William Stone, aged 103, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
Ivor Caplin said he was honoured to be with the "remarkable gentlemen". He added:
"Without those who fought, the world would be a very different place today. We have much to thank them for and we owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude."
After the Service, the four veterans were presented with Veterans’ Badges to honour their role in the War. They will also attend a lunch in their honour at the Ministry of Defence’s recently refurbished headquarters.
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