Last female veteran of the First World War dies aged 109

The Evening Standard (U.K.) ^ | August 29, 2008

[Stoat]

 

Last female veteran of the First World War dies aged 109

Last updated at 20:19pm on 29.08.08

 

 

Gladys Powers, 109, died this month in Canada. She was thought to be the last female veteran from WW1.

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 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.

[Stoat]

World's last female First World War veteran dies - Telegraph

A devoted dog-owner, Mrs Powers formed the Western Canada Pekingese Club, and remained its honorary president until her death.

***********************************************************

UK says last female World War I vet has died

Gladys truly was an amazing woman,» said Ed Fast, who represents Abbotsford in Canada's Parliament.
«She was remarkable not only for her longevity but also for her active life. She lived every moment to the very fullest, even in the last few years of her life.
 

World’s last female First World War veteran dies, aged 109

 

Gladys Powers, believed to be the last surviving female veteran of the First World War in the world, had her funeral Friday in Abbotsford, B.C. Above, she dances with Marcelo Santos at a party for her 106th birthday in 2005 at her residence.
Photograph by : Peter Battistoni/Vancouver Sun

"She was right in it. She was in the underground tunnels when the bombs were dropping," said her daughter-in-law Pat Powers

"It's something you don't forget and it's something that affects your life forever."

[Stoat]

The funeral for a B.C. resident believed to be the world's last female First World War veteran was held on Friday in Abbotsford.

[Stoat]

A devoted dog-owner, Mrs Powers formed the Western Canada Pekingese Club, and remained its honorary president until her death.

[fanfan]

Thanks for the ping, Stoat.

What a great lady.

[PGalt]

Great story, post, pics, links! Thanks. R.I.P. Gladys Powers. Condolences to all family and friends.

[april15Bendovr]

God Bless

One of my great uncles died from Mustard gas when he returned home from WW1

[fanfan]

Hi April!

I still owe you those pictures of support the troops signs on public vehicles here.

One day when I’m the passenger, instead of driver, I will take some.

I haven’t forgotten.

*HUG*

[dinok]

What a woman...they don’t make them like that anymore.
3 husbands? She kept busy.

[MarineBrat]

I know this is a US flag, and she was British, but she's still deserving of a salute from Uncle Sam. God Bless you Gladys!

[TalBlack]

I always think that these people who lied about their age to get into the fight had real ambition.
Goodnight, M’am and God bless.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[Stoat]

Thanks for the ping, Stoat.

You're quite welcome, and thank you very much for pinging your list  :-)

 

What a great lady.

Indeed...ladies with such strength, conviction, courage and honor are not quite so common anymore, sad to say.

[Stoat]

Great story, post, pics, links! Thanks. R.I.P. Gladys Powers. Condolences to all family and friends.

Thank you so much for your kind and gracious words. 

Indeed, we are all diminished by the loss of her from this Earth but God has received a truly marvelous Angel.

[Stoat]

What a woman...they don’t make them like that anymore.

Sadly I have found your words to be quite true.

3 husbands? She kept busy.

I'm sure that she leaves a legacy considerably richer than any of these paltry and minimal newspaper stories about her.

[Stoat]

I know this is a US flag, and she was British, but she's still deserving of a salute from Uncle Sam. God Bless you Gladys!

She deserves a solemn salute from all people and all nations who value freedom.

[Stoat]

I always think that these people who lied about their age to get into the fight had real ambition.

With modern recordkeeping nowadays, it's awfully hard for a person in a Western country to lie about their age to a Government agency and make it work as it did in times past.  I have no doubt that there are MANY Patriotic and ambitious young folks who would dearly love to serve their country but are prevented from doing so by their age and the advanced recordkeeping that we have today.  Hopefully they will find other avenues to hone their passions and skills until they are old enough to serve their country in the manner that fuels their passions.

Goodnight, M’am and God bless.

Indeed God has Blessed us all by giving her to us for a short while.

[Stoat]

RIP.

She certainly deserves peace after leading such an exemplary life.