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Post by Frenchie on Jul 26, 2009 10:04:22 GMT 1
The sacrifices of the World War I generation are to be commemorated in a special national service, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said. It is likely to be held at Westminster Abbey and will be attended by the Prime Minister, Downing Street said. The Queen is also expected to attend. The announcement comes after the death of Harry Patch, the last British survivor of the World War I trenches. He was conscripted aged 18 and fought in the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. More than 70,000 British men died in the battle, at Ypres. A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Brown had long held the view that there should be a national commemoration. 'Privileged' The prime minister said he was "privileged" to have met Mr Patch, who died on Saturday. Mr Brown added: "I think it's right that we as a nation have a national memorial service to remember the sacrifice." Mr Patch was raised in Combe Down, near Bath, and had been living at a care home in Wells, Somerset. More on This>>
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