UK’s Oldest Man At UK’s Oldest Licenced Airport
Henry Allingham, Europe’s oldest man and the oldest of only
three surviving veterans of World War I visited Shoreham recently. Henry was
born 6th June 1896 in Clapham, London and is the only surviving founder member
of the RAF. He was an Aircraft Rigger in the Royal Naval Air Service and when
he was introduced to “The Spirit Of Pashley” Tiger Moth he said, “I used to
use my own locking nuts when rigging the aircraft -- I knew I could trust
them”. Henry was accompanied by his friend and carer Dennis Goodwin and Dennis’s
partner Brenda.
Henry married Dorothy Cater and they had two daughters, both of whom Henry
outlived and the marriage lasted 51 years, his wife died in 1970 when they
lived in Eastbourne. He now has 6 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 13
great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild all but one
of whom live in the United States.
Henry holds France’s highest military medal, the Legion d’Honneur which was
awarded to him in 2003and in 2004 he was awarded the freedom of the town of
Saint-Omer. Henry said, “ War is not the answer to world problems, people
should learn to live with each other and respect others views and no I would
not like to be a politician”.
 Henry talking to Stuart Rawlinson |
 Henry inspecting the rigging of "Spirit of Pashley" |
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 Brenda, Dennis and Henry beside Piper Navaho G-OJIL |
 Henry in the Visitor Centre |
