World's last female First World War veteran dies
Gladys Powers, who was 109, died in British Columbia in Canada earlier this month.
At 15, Mrs Powers lied about her age and joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, before moving to the RAF as a barracks waitress.
It is thought she was the last female veteran from any country to have served in the war, following the death last year of American Charlotte Winters. The Ministry of Defence has been unable to produce records of her service as British First World War files were destroyed during the Blitz.
Born in Lewisham, London, on May 10, 1899, Mrs Powers spent her pre-war years travelling with her father, Frederick Stokes, who was a businessman. She and her elder brother, Cyril, with whom she enjoyed playing "boys' games", lived in Turkey and Australia as children before settling back in England.
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At 15, Mrs Powers lied about her age and joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, before moving to the RAF as a barracks waitress.
It is thought she was the last female veteran from any country to have served in the war, following the death last year of American Charlotte Winters. The Ministry of Defence has been unable to produce records of her service as British First World War files were destroyed during the Blitz.
Born in Lewisham, London, on May 10, 1899, Mrs Powers spent her pre-war years travelling with her father, Frederick Stokes, who was a businessman. She and her elder brother, Cyril, with whom she enjoyed playing "boys' games", lived in Turkey and Australia as children before settling back in England.