Videos tagged with first world war

Battle of Jutland 1916

Battle of Jutland 1916

Henry William Allingham was born 6 June 1896 and was, at the age of 113 when he gave this interview, the oldest verified living man in the world. Allingham is the oldest ever surviving member of any of the British Armed Forces and the oldest surviving veteran of the First World War. He is the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland. Here he describes (as best he can!) his remaining memories of the Battle of Jutland. Henry was ordered to join the Naval trawler HMT Kingfisher. Onboard was a Sopwith Schneider seaplane that was used to look out for the German High Seas Fleet. Allingham's responsibilities included helping to launch the plane. Although the Kingfisher was not directly involved in the battle (it shadowed the British Grand Fleet and then the High Seas Fleet), Allingham here recalls seeing the fleet steaming past him and lining up - the Germans plan had been to lure the British Fleet away and into mines and traps they had laid on for them - but this didn't work. Henry died a few weeks after this interview on the 18th July 2009

Put through paces by the Royal Marines

Put through paces by the Royal Marines

Henry Allingham was born in 1896 and, at the time he gave this interview, the World's Oldest man. After his mother died Henry enlisted with the RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service). He became formally rated as an Air Mechanic Second Class on 21 September 1915, and was posted to Chingford before completing his training at Sheerness. Here he talks a little about being put through his paces by the Royal Marines, and in particular is referring to a Corporal Lewis who was known to instill harsh discipline and made them do marching military drills. Henry didn't take kindly to this and didn't see the point in the drills - he just wanted to get on with the job and that the 'square-bashing' was pointless. Henry died a few weeks after this interview on the 18th July 2009.

Growing up during First World War

Growing up during First World War

Doris Boost was born in Dalston, London in 1908. She has lived in the Dalston area all her life. Here she talks a little about her memories of her early life including war and school.

FIRST WORLD WAR MEMORY Seeing a Zeppelin

FIRST WORLD WAR MEMORY Seeing a Zeppelin

William Walker was born in 1913 and later went on to serve in the RAF during World War Two. Here he recalls his earliest memory of seeing a German Zeppelin during the First World War.