Last female veteran of the First World War dies aged 109

The last female First World War veteran has died aged 109.

British-born Gladys Powers died at her home in British Columbia, Canada, on August 14, the Ministry of Defence said.

She was born in Lewisham, south London and joined the Women's Auxiliary Corps aged 15, after fibbing about her age and later served with the Women's RAF.

All but a few of the service records of the women who served during World War One were destroyed during the Blitz in 1940, making it impossible to formally confirm her time in the military.

After the Great War Gladys emigrated to Canada war with her first husband, Canadian soldier Ed Luxford. She was to remarry three times and outlived all of her former husbands.

Paying tribute to Mrs Powers, Veterans Minister Derek Twigg said: 'I am saddened to learn of the death of Gladys Powers.

'Over 80,000 women served in our armed forces during that war. Although they may not have realised it at the time, these early women volunteers did much to break down the barriers for all those Service women who have come after them and who continue to serve their Country today so proficiently and professionally.'

Mr Twigg has written a letter of condolence to Greg Thompson, the Canadian Minister for Veterans Affairs.

Mrs Powers' death brings the total number of remaining British WW1 veterans to three.

They are Henry Allingham, who served with the RNAS and is believed to be Britain's oldest man, aged 110.

Harry Patch, aged 110, is the UK's last surviving Tommy and former Naval Seaman William Stone is 107.