Plans made for Last Tommy's funeral 1 hour 59 mins ago [image: Press Assoc.]<http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/pa/SIG=113i5evue/**http%3A%2F%2Fwww..pa.press.net%2F>
- Print Story<http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090726/tuk-plans-made-for-last-tommy-s-funeral-6323e80.html?printer=1> Preparations will begin this week for the funeral of the last British soldier of the First World War following his death at the age of 111. Skip related content<http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090726/tuk-plans-made-for-last-tommy-s-funeral-6323e80.html#ynw-article-part2> Related photos / videos Plans made for Last Tommy's funeral Harry Patch, known as the Last Tommy, died peacefully just before 9am on Saturday at Fletcher House nursing home in Wells, Somerset. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said Mr Patch's funeral would be held in Wells Cathedral and would focus on prayers for peace and reconciliation. He said: "The funeral cortege through Wells and the subsequent service at the cathedral will be an opportunity for the people of this country to pay respect to Harry as the last representative of those who served in the trenches." Asked in 2007 about how he would like to be remembered, Mr Patch reportedly rejected the idea of any special funeral arrangements. But he accepted the principle of a state funeral as a mark of respect for the generation who fought in the First World War. He said he would like to buried in a private ceremony alongside his family in Monkton Combe Church. *The Queen* <http://uk.news.yahoo.com/fc/royal-family.html>*, the Prince of Wales and **Prime Minister Gordon Brown*<http://uk.news.yahoo.com/fc/gordon-brown..html> * led the tributes to Mr Patch, *who become Britain's oldest man when another veteran of the war, Henry Allingham, died on July 18 aged 113. Mr Allingham's public funeral with military honours will take place in Brighton next Thursday, with senior representatives of the Government and the armed forces expected to attend alongside his family. There will be a screen put up in the grounds of St Nicholas' Church, Dyke Road, for members of the public to take part and some of the service will be shown live on television.
