The Last.

There are three veterans of the first World War left in the world. Of all the parts of the world that bubble on without you, of all the borders beyond the horizon, of all the paces, trajectories, characters, and stories colluding together in giant waves of 'now,' 'yet-to-come,' and then it boils down to three. It's not even the whole hand.

The rate, too, is surprising: eight years ago, there were 700 left alive.

Of those left, this: their names are Claude Choules, Jack Babcock, and Frank Buckles. Their countries of origin are the U.K., Canada, and the U.S.. Nearly 10,000,000 men were killed in the conflict, 65 million participated, and, now, we are left with three. When they were in the army and navy, they were led by men who were born in the 1850's.

Claude Choules: Born in Pershore, in March, 1901. Notables of Pershore: the Abbey, which heralds from the 11th century. Located on the River Avon. His specialty -- 'blowing things up.' Moved to Australia. Sent to clean up a part of the harbor in Western Australia and came back with "a gift of pink slippers he had found" for his daughter. A 41-year career that spanned both wars. Used to "see hospital ships coming across and soldiers being wheeled off them." Witnessed the surrender of the German Navy in 1918.

Jack Babcock: Enlisted in the army at 16 by lying about his age. Pilot's license at 65. Graduated from high school at 95. (In short: an early starter.) Received a birthday card from Queen Elizabeth II for his 109th birthday, remarking that she's "a pretty nice looking girl." When he got to Britain, he was deemed too young to "go over the top." Via the North Bay Nugget: "I feel guilty because I'm not a war hero. I didn't get to accomplish what I set out to do."

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Frank Buckles: The only one with his own webpage. Ended up with the ambulance service. When he tried to sign up, he was too young -- 18 -- and the recruiter turned him away. A week later, he came back with his Grandmother. "Same recruiting station, same Sergeant ... but I had increased my age to 21. He was very ... gentlemanly and gave me the test." England, first. Winchester. Drove a motorcycle around base and as an escort. Later upgraded to a Ford. Transported prisoners back from Germany. During his only leave: stayed at the Hotel de Pay in the Bay of Carcachon, where -- because of the water covering the ground -- the postman would deliver the mail on stilts.

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Harry Patch recently passed. He was 111. Along with Claude Choules -- who is an Australian citizen -- he was Britain's last veteran. Radiohead wrote a song in memory of the man, and we'll have a link to that, too, below, but first, foremost, and most importantly: some notes on his life.

Born in June of 1898. He served between 1916 and 1918. Helped build the University of Bristol.

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Other notable items concerning the first World War: avalanches used as weapons.

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Radiohead - Harry Patch (In Memory Of):