Portrait of Henry Allingham

Henry Allingham was the world's oldest man, the oldest surviving World War I British veteran, a founding member of the Royal Air Force and the last known survivor of the Battle of Jutland. In 2003 he was awarded The Legion d'Honneur, France's highest decoration, and in August 2005 he led the nation in the Lord's Prayer at the Cenotaph in London to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the outbreak of World War 1.

In 2006, Rob was commissioned to record a holographic portrait of Henry for a very special exhibition entitled 'Ghosts of Jutland'. The exhibition, on board the HMS Belfast, London's floating navel museum, commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland and remembered the 8,648 British and German sailors who lost there lives in the battle. Rob's portrait was unveiled by the Duchess of Gloucester GCVO, the patron of the World War I Veterans Association, in the presence of Henry to mark the opening of the exhibition and to raise awareness of the battle.

Henry died on the 18th July 2009 at the age of 113 years and 13 days. Rob's portrait was chosen as Henry’s official portrait and used on the booklet printed for the funeral service. A large format 3D portrait was also shown at the funeral. Rob subsequently donated the portrait to St Dustan's where Henry spent his last years and it will be placed on permanent display.

 Below is a BBC News article, televised on 31st May 2006, which features an interview with Henry Allingham and the opening of the 'Ghosts of Jutland' exhibition at London's floating navel museum on board the HMS Belfast. Rob's portrait of Henry is also shown. Also below is a BBC Radio Radio 4 report aired on 6th June 2006.