Austria-Hungary The oldest Austrian War Volunteer: Gaspar Wallnoefer in 1917, aged 79

[Ulsterman]

Apparently the Tyrolian volunteer Oberjaeger Gaspar Wollnoefer served until 1918. This is an iPad photo of an Austrian war correspondents' official photo taken in 1917.. Gaspar was a 10 year old war volunteer in the 1848/9 Italian war and thereby he earned his FIRST silver bravery medal.In 1866 he earned a GOLDEN bravery medal for capturing an Italian cannon. This picture was taken in his third Italian war. Presumaly he earned both the Karl Cross and the Tyrol medal (probably posthumously given his age).

I suspect he was the oldest serving enlisted man in World War One and probably the oldest soldier who served in 1917-18.

Note that some of his officers in 1848/9 had fought against Napoleon.

Edited December 1, 2013 by Ulsterman

[IrishGunner]

Hard as rock mountain man...

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hard as rock mountain man...

Bet he called the 30 year bank officials who struggeled up the mountain "the youth of today!!" ;-)

[turtle]

Bet he called the 30 year bank officials who struggeled up the mountain "the youth of today!!" ;-)

I second that!!

He makes a 60 years old Volkssturmmann in 1945 look like a fountain of youth!

[Rogi]

He doesn't look 79

or is that just my impression

Man, I wish I age that well when I grow up :)