The Last Fighting Tommy
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The Last Fighting Tommy
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Narrated by:
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Alan Howard
About this listen
After a rural childhood in Somerset, Harry left school in 1913 to become a plumber. Three years later, he was fighting in the mud and trenches during the Battle of Passchendaele. He saw a great many of his comrades die, and in one dreadful moment the shell that wounded him killed his three closest friends.
Harry vividly describes the terror and intensity of daily life in the trenches. The Second World War saw him in action on the home front as a fire-fighter during the bombing of Bath. Late in life, Harry achieved fame, meeting the Queen and taking part in the BBC documentary The Last Tommy, finally shaking hands with a German veteran of the artillery, and speaking out frankly to Prime Minister Tony Blair about the soldiers shot for cowardice in the First World War.
This is the story of an ordinary man's extraordinary life.
©2007 Richard van Emden (P)2008 Hachette AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"For Harry Patch, born in 1898 and wounded at Passchendaele, November 11 is just showbiz. He remembers September 22: the day his two best mates were killed. This really is living history."(The Guardian)
"We hear Harry's own husky measured voice in the introduction; the rest of his story is narrated by Alan Howard, who nicely recaptures his character."(The Times)
What listeners say about The Last Fighting Tommy
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lee hopkinson
- 26-01-21
moving
Read the book twice now listed for the first time. moving and wonderful. RIP Harry
Richard 👍
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gary stanton
- 15-04-23
moving
Really good book. Very moving. Thank you Harry for your service. A must read for any interested in WW 1
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Steve B
- 19-02-19
Not a story of war, but of an ordinary chap
Brilliant. Loved it. Worth every minute.
This isn't just about his time in the trenches, but is more about his life and how he came to find his way to the trenches of France in WW1. A great recollection that tells the story which might otherwise be forgotten. The "none war" bits of the story are equally compelling. It's got up's and down's as you'd expect, and is a highly recommended read/listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Richard
- 24-01-09
Haunting & Inspiring
A fantastic story from a truly fantastic man, highly recommended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Tony
- 09-11-08
History in your own lifetime.
Made you appreciate what these young men went through not so very long ago.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Samantha
- 09-02-18
fantastic insight
really enjoyed listening to this book, dear old Harry Patch. It gives a great insight not just into his war service but also his life before and after the war. It is also a great snap shot of what life in general was like and how we lived 100 years ago.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Kevin
- 16-10-12
lovely book
this book made me think of the sacrifices the men of the wars made for us, really funny in places too !
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- barbara Douglas
- 06-08-17
Humbled
This book is a reminder of what our troops faced in order for us to have our freedom
Harry patch is a true icon I was very moved and so glad he told us his story I now want to study about the First World War it can teach us about life in general, the human tragedy is unthinkable
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- B. S. Cunliffe
- 11-08-17
Fascinating
Incredible piece of both social and Military history.
Well worth listening to whether you are interested in history or not.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Trev G
- 02-12-22
As expected
I have read the book but this brilliantly narrated audio book brings Harry’s story to life.
For anyone interested in the history of WW1 or just history of this period this book is a must have. It is sad in parts of course but also entertaining and educational.
I wholeheartedly recommend it.
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