Radiohead Release Charity Song For Royal British Legion

British band Radiohead has released a song in tribute to a World War 1 soldier who died last week, with proceeds to go to charity.

Harry Patch (In Memory Of) was released yesterday, August 5, for download from the band’s online store. Harry Patch – who passed away on July 25 at age 111 – was the last known British World War I veteran.

The 5 and a half minute song costs £1 (US$1.70) to download, and proceeds will be donated to The Royal British Legion, which promotes the welfare of former military personnel and their dependants.

“The way he talked about war had a profound effect on me,” said Radiohead singer Thom Yorke. “It became the inspiration for a song that we happened to record a few weeks before his death. It was done live in an abbey. The strings were arranged by Jonny [Greenwood].”