New Zealand's only surviving World War I veteran is Bright Williams, aged 105.
He lives in a retirement home in Havelock North.
Born at Taradale, in Hawkes Bay, on February 27, 1897, he served in the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade.
As did many other men, he put his age up when he enlisted in March 1916. He was 19 when he set sail for Europe in June 1916.
He was in the thick of the murderous fighting at Messines, and the bloodbath at Passchendaele, in Belgium, in October 1917, where he was wounded.
Mr Williams was repatriated to New Zealand in December 1917.
Today, the old soldier is in good health and mobile, with a couple of sticks, at his resthome.
His eyesight and hearing are no longer at peak performance, but he is alert and has a clear mind.
- NZPA
Feature: Anzac Day
Anzac photo exhibition:
Harold Paton's pictures of WW II
World War I veteran living in Havelock North
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