The Claude Choules Bar & Kitchen

The oldest veteran of both World Wars, Claude Choules was born in Bridge Street, Pershore on 3 March 1901 and spent his childhood years in and around the town. Claude filled his long life with service to his country, love for his family, involvement in his community and advocacy for peace and friendship.

Claude was born in Bridge Street, Pershore on 3 March 1901 and spent his childhood years in and around the town. In 1915 and at the age of 14, pretending he was 16, he signed up to join the Royal Navy and fight for his country in the first world war.

Claude was heavily decorated and led a distinguished career in the military which spanned over 40 years. In 1926 he transferred to the Royal Australian Navy where he served until he retired in 1956. He fought for his country in both world wars. Claude was married to his wife, Ethal, for 73 years and they lived and brought up their three children in Perth, Australia. Right up until the end of his life, he enjoyed the company of his 36 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren!

At the time of his death on 5 May 2011 and at a grand age of 110 years, Claude Choules was the oldest British-born man in the world. He was the last surviving veteran to have served in both world wars. At the time of his death, Claude was the third oldest verified military veteran in the world, the oldest known living man in Australia and the seventh oldest living man in the world – what an achievement!

Not only did Claude live a very long life, he also filled it with service to his country, with love for his family, with involvement in his community and with being an advocate for peace and friendship – values that so many of us share with him. In recognition of his achievements the Royal Australian Navy named a landing ship after him – the HMAS Choules. Did you also know that Pershore named a road – Choules Close – in his honour? Claude wrote an autobiography The Last of the Last which is a really interesting read about this great man’s life.