Harry Patch was born on 17th June 1898 in Combe Down, Somerset. At the age of 18 he was conscripted into the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, becoming number 2 in a Lewis Gun Team. Harry served in the trenches between June and September 1917 and saw a great deal of action in the Third Battle of Ypres (often called the Battle of Passchendale).

After the war, Harry returned to his trade as a plumber and married the young girl he had met while convalescing after the Battle of Passchendale. They were married in 1919 and had two sons. His wife died in 1976 and his sons have also predeceased him. Harry retired in 1963. He married again in 1980 and his second wife died in 1984.

Harry didn't speak about his WW1 experiences until he turned 100. He was unfaltering in his wish for peace, stating that "War isn't worth one life" and spent the last part of his long life as a representative of a generation promoting peace and reconciliation.

Harry was one of three remaining British veterans of the First World War who took part in the 90th anniversary commemorations of the Great War Armistice in London in November 2008.

Harry died peacefully, surrounded by his many friends on Saturday 25th July 2009. He was a man of peace who used his great age and fame as the last survivor of the trenches to communicate two simple messages:

Remember with gratitude and respect those who served on ALL sides;

Settle disputes by discussion, not war.

Harry was made a Freeman of the City of Wells on 10th July 2008, an honour of which he, and the City were very proud.