Claude 'Chuckles' Choules, the last surviving veteran of World War I, celebrates its 110 years Thursday at his home in Perth (Australia), as declared by his son, who describes him as a celebrity who hates war. Born in Britain in 1901, Mr. Choules lied about his age to enlist in 1916 in the Royal Navy.
During World War II, he fought as an officer in the Australian Navy, after emigrating to Australia in 1926. "He is deaf and blind, but we are very close to him, we cry and he understands us," says his son Adrian, 76. "You know who we are. I do not think the head has lost more than you or me," he adds.
Choules is from this Sunday the last surviving soldier of the Great War in the world after death also 110 years of Franck Buckles, the last American veteran of the First World War, as he faked his age to be recruited in 1917. A celebrity lover chocolate mango and British veteran Henry Allingham died in 2009 at 113 years.
The last German soldier, Erich Kaestner, died on January 1, 2008 at 107 years. The last French soldier, Lazare Ponticelli, died on March 12, 2008 with 110 years Delfino Borroni, the last surviving Italian, died on October 26, 2008 at 110. "Since today is a celebrity, because everyone else has died," continued Adrian Choules.
"I hated the war. The war was for him a livelihood. "He said the Navy taught that Germans were" monsters, a terrible people, "according to his son. But soon learned that" everyone was equal, "he says. The veteran no longer gives interviews, but still "likes the juice of mango and chocolate mousse," said his daughter, Anne Pow. 
During World War II, he fought as an officer in the Australian Navy, after emigrating to Australia in 1926. "He is deaf and blind, but we are very close to him, we cry and he understands us," says his son Adrian, 76. "You know who we are. I do not think the head has lost more than you or me," he adds.
Choules is from this Sunday the last surviving soldier of the Great War in the world after death also 110 years of Franck Buckles, the last American veteran of the First World War, as he faked his age to be recruited in 1917. A celebrity lover chocolate mango and British veteran Henry Allingham died in 2009 at 113 years.
The last German soldier, Erich Kaestner, died on January 1, 2008 at 107 years. The last French soldier, Lazare Ponticelli, died on March 12, 2008 with 110 years Delfino Borroni, the last surviving Italian, died on October 26, 2008 at 110. "Since today is a celebrity, because everyone else has died," continued Adrian Choules.
"I hated the war. The war was for him a livelihood. "He said the Navy taught that Germans were" monsters, a terrible people, "according to his son. But soon learned that" everyone was equal, "he says. The veteran no longer gives interviews, but still "likes the juice of mango and chocolate mousse," said his daughter, Anne Pow.
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