From the Observer :

Henry Allingham, Britain’s oldest First World War veteran, and Robert Meier, who is Germany’s equivalent, braved driving rain to attend what must have been one of the most informal, and moving, of all memorial services. With a combined age of 219, these two men know better than anyone the meaning of remembrance. Allingham, making his first trip to Germany since he served in the army of occupation after the Great War, was in Meier’s home town, Witten, near Dortmund, for the special meeting ahead of next month’s Armistice anniversary. The men speak different languages but communicated with perfect eloquence through their actions, clasping each other’s hands and hugging warmly. Allingham, 110, proudly wearing his war medals, said: ‘I’m very happy to be here and remember how good the German people were to me when I was last here in 1919.’ Meier, 109, sporting a flamboyant black beret, added: ‘It’s wonderful to be together. Everybody has to be friends.’ Together the centenarians, dressed smartly in suits, ignored a downpour as they were wheeled side by side to a tall, brick war memorial in the town’s Lutherpark. With a monumental effort, aided by RAF men in uniform, Allingham struggled to his feet and laid a wreath of poppies at its foot…Both men have found it easier to talk about the war, and take part in public commemorations, as they have grown older. They also share a sense of humour. Allingham attributes his longevity to ‘Cigarettes, whisky, and wild, wild women.’ Meier puts his down to ‘sport, a healthy diet, especially plenty of fish … and the odd glass of schnapps’, as well as his enduring popularity with women. He recently proposed marriage to the town mayor and a local journalist. Both declined.

What were those women thinking?