R.I.P. Claude Choules — Last Remaining WWI Combat Veteran Passes Away

Claude Choules, circa 1917

On February 27, Corp. Frank Buckles, the last remaining US veteran of World War I passed away, leaving only one known survivor of the 70 million combatants from that war, a British sailor who witnessed the surrender of the German fleet in 1918.

Sadly, I just learned that Claude Choules, who was born in Pershore, western England, died in his sleep at a nursing home in Perth, Australia on Thursday at the age of 110:

The Royal Australian Navy expressed its condolences on Thursday while Captain Brett Wolski, Commanding Officer of HMAS Stirling, said all naval personnel had been affected by the announcement. “Our thoughts are with Claude’s family at this sad time,” he said.

Choules joined the Royal Navy in 1916, and initially served on the training ship HMS Impregnable at Devonport. While serving on HMS Revenge the young sailor saw the German imperial fleet’s surrender at Firth of Forth, in Scotland. He was also present for the German fleet’s destruction at Scapa Flow.

In 1926, after emigrating to Australia, he transferred to that country’s navy, and rose through the ranks to become chief demolition officer on the western side of the continent at the outbreak of World War II.

Might we all live as long and as meaningful of a life as did Mr. Choules. Perhaps the most remarkable part of his life? Married to the same gal for 80 years.

God speed, Sailor.

There is now only one remaining WWI veteran alive anywhere, 110-year-old Florence Green, who served with the British Royal Air Force in a non-combat role.