Radiohead salutes WW1 veteran Harry Patch in support of The Royal British Legion

Inspired by the prophetic words of Britain’s last veteran to have fought in the First World War, British band Radiohead today released a haunting single “Harry Patch (In Memory Of)” with all proceeds being donated to The Royal British Legion.

“I had heard a very emotional interview with (Harry Patch) a few years ago on the “Today” programme on BBC Radio Four,” said lead singer Thom Yorke. “The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me.”

Using Harry Patch’s own words as the basis of the song lyrics and with Jonny Greenwood arranging the strings, the song was recorded in an abbey a few weeks before Harry Patch’s death at the age of 111 on Saturday 25 July, 2009. His funeral service will be held in Wells Cathedral on Thursday August 6th.

The “last fighting Tommy,” who served as a Lewis gunner in Passchendaele, only began to speak of his experiences in his 100th year and his vision of the horrors of that conflict inspired Thom Yorke.

“I very much hope the song does justice to his memory as the last survivor,” said Mr Yorke. “It would be very easy for our generation to forget the true horror of war, without the likes of Harry to remind us. I hope we do not forget.

“As Harry himself said, ‘Irrespective of the uniforms we wore, we were all victims’.”

The Royal British Legion praised the song and the band’s generous support.

“Radiohead has picked up the torch from Harry Patch to hold it high,” said Peter Cleminson, National Chairman of The Royal British Legion. “His was meant to be the war to end all wars – yet the Legion is still needed today by the Afghanistan generation just as we were formed nearly 90 years ago to care for Harry Patch’s generation.”

“Radiohead uses Harry’s own words to remind us of the horrors of war, and we believe Harry would be pleased.”

Dedicated “to peace and understanding,” the song is available for download for £1.

Download Harry Patch (In Memory Of)

Harry Patch (In Memory Of)

“i am the only one that got through
the others died where ever they fell
it was an ambush
they came up from all sides
give your leaders each a gun and then let them fight it out themselves
i’ve seen devils coming up from the ground
i’ve seen hell upon this earth
the next will be chemical but they will never learn”

The Royal British Legion is the nation’s leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It is also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem, the red poppy.

The Royal British Legion Official Website

Radiohead Official Website / blog – Dead Air Space