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‘Truly one of a kind’ – Farewell to Harry, Britain’s oldest WW2 veteran
2 April 2026
Fair winds and following seas to Harry Waddingham – believed to be Britain’s oldest WW2 veteran – who has died aged 109.
Harry survived two sinkings in 12 months in the darkest hours of the conflict – firstly during the Dunkirk evacuation, then 12 months later during the German invasion of Crete.
They were the grimmest moments in a remarkable career spanning several decades – and two arms of the nation’s armed forces.
Originally from London, Harry joined the Royal Navy at 16 in 1932, initially as a gunner before subsequently transferring to the PTI branch.
He saw extensive action throughout the 1939-45 conflict in the European/Mediterranean theatres of war.
In May 1940, Harry was serving aboard veteran destroyer HMS Wakeful pressed into action during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.
Having embarked more than 600 troops – in addition to her crew of more than 100 – Wakeful was attempting to return to England when she was torpedoed by a German E-boat.
Torn in two, the ship sank in minutes with horrific loss of life. Just four soldiers and 25 crew were rescued – including Harry, who was catapulted into the Channel from the upper deck by the force of the blast.
He was later drafted to another destroyer, Juno, a ship he didn’t warm to.
She came under sustained Italian and German air attack southeast of Crete 24 hours after Axis forces invaded the island and fell victim to direct hits from Italian bombs which caused her to capsize inside two minutes. Of 220 men aboard, only 104 survived.
His life stands as a testament to the courage and sacrifice of the wartime generation, whose legacy continues to inspire us all. We are immensely proud to have called him one of our own, and he will be greatly missed.
Harry continued to serve at sea till the war’s end, chiefly on Atlantic and Russian Convoy patrols.
Post-war, he went into teaching, initially in schools, then recalled to uniform by joining the RAF’s educational arm… where he reached the rank of Squadron Leader before returning to civvy street to resume teaching, before he retired to Bexhill where he became a valued and popular member of the town’s Royal Naval Association branch.
Like many of the greatest generation, he rose to challenges he never wanted to face and rarely spoke of his own sacrifices and tribulations, maintaining a humble pride in having served alongside his fellow shipmates.
RNA National President Vice Admiral Duncan Potts said Harry’s passing marked “the end of an era”.
He continued: “Harry Waddingham was truly one of a kind. To reach 109 years is extraordinary in itself, but to have lived a life of service and integrity makes his passing all the more poignant.
“His life stands as a testament to the courage and sacrifice of the wartime generation, whose legacy continues to inspire us all.
“We are immensely proud to have called him one of our own, and he will be greatly missed.”
Harry’s funeral will take place at St Peter’s Church, Bexhill, on April 28.