Gandhi (1869 – 1948)

“Oh God”

The final words of the revolutionary and pacifist spoken after being shot three times in the chest by a Hindu nationalist. Mohandas Gandhi (also known as Mahatma meaning great soul) was with his grandnieces in the garden of Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti) in New Delhi India.

George S Patton (1885 – 1945)

“This is a hell of a way to die.”

Paralysed from the neck down after a car accident, these were the general’s last words before dying in his sleep. ‘Old blood and guts’ died from pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure at a hospital in Heidelberg Germany.

Robert the Bruce (1274 – 1329)

“Thanks be to God! For I shall now die in peace, since I know that the most valiant and accomplished knight of my kingdom will perform that for me which I am unable to do for myself.”

Robert the First King of the Scots, referring to the removal of his heart after he was dead and taking it to Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre, the reputed burial site of Jesus. He died at the Manor of Cardross, near Dumbarton Scotland.

Richard the Lionheart (1157 – 1199)

“Youth, I forgive you. Loose his chains and give him 100 shillings.”

Fatally wounded by an archer, King Richard I of England gave orders for the killer to be released. His soldiers ignored this last request and had the archer executed after the King’s death in Châlus France.

Princess Diana (1961 – 1997)

“My God, what’s happened?”

The final words of the Princess of Wales, reported by paparazzi at the scene of her fatal car accident in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel, Paris. She was aged 36 at the time of her death.