RAF flypast to honour oldest man

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Henry Allingham will be on board Lord Nelson's flagship moored at Portsmouth during the flypast by the Royal Navy's historic flight and current aircraft.

The Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Adrian Johns, and Veterans' Minister Derek Twigg will be among dignitaries to share a celebratory lunch with Mr Allingham in the ship's Great Cabin.

Ten of his relatives, including eight grandchildren and great-grandchildren, have flown to the UK from their homes across the United States to join the party.

A Royal Marines band will serenade Mr Allingham on board Victory before he returns with friends and relatives to the Queen's Hotel on Portsmouth seafront for afternoon tea.

Asked how it felt to be turning 111, Mr Allingham said: "I'm pleased to be seeing another tomorrow. I never imagined I'd get to 111."

Mr Allingham made his way to Portsmouth from his home at St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel in Ovingdean, near Brighton, East Sussex.

He is just one of three known UK survivors from the First World War.

The other two are ex-Royal Navy stoker Bill Stone, 106, who was born in Devon but now living in Oxfordshire, and 108-year-old Harry Patch, who lives in a nursing home in Wells, Somerset, and who is the last surviving Tommy to have served on the Western Front.

Mr Allingham, who has five grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, joined the Royal Naval Air Service in September 1915 before transferring to the RAF in April 1918.