The Somme - Last Survivor Passes.

Obituaries appeared in the London newspapers today for Albert 'Smiler' Marshall who was reputed to be the last surviving member of the British Army who fought at the Somme. He was 108 years old.

He joined up on the outbreak of war by falsifying - as so many did - his date of birth. A skilled horseman, he served as a Cavalryman with the Essex Yeomanry although most of his service was as a dismounted infantryman.

He was twice gassed and wounded, fought at the Somme and Passchendaele. In later years, he described his worst memory as being that of when he was part of a burial party at Mametz Wood - the experience of having to bury so many fallen Ox & Bucks Light Infantrymen affected him deeply.

Thus, one of the British Army's most dreadful battles passes from living memory, into the history books.

 

God Bless Him.

 

Very sad indeed.

 

Actually, there is at least one other Somme veteran alive. He served with the Black Watch and is 108.