Claude Stanley Choules, the last known combat veteran of the first World War, has died.
Claude Choules, the last person to have served in both world wars, has died, the Royal Australian Navy said in a statement. He was 110.
"Dad was always proud of his Navy service and considered it his other family," his daughter, Anne Power, said in the statement. "We are grateful for the navy's continued association with the family and their recognition of our father's life."
Mr Choules lived in Australia for more than 80 years. He spent his final years in Gracewood Hostel near Perth, Western Australia. He passed away early this morning, the statement said.
The former HMS Revenge seaman, who was underage when he signed up for duty, witnessed the surrender of the German Imperial Navy in 1918. He also watched as German sailors scuttled their own fleet at Scapa Flow, near Scotland, to avoid the ships falling into British hands after the war.
Mr Choules became the last male first World War veteran when American Frank Buckles died at the age of 110 in February 2011.
British woman Florence Green is now thought to be the only survivor who served in the war. "Everything comes to those who wait and wait," Mr Choules said in an interview with the Australian newspaper in 2009.
Mr Choules was born in Wyre Piddle, a village in the English county of Worcestershire, on March 3rd, 1901. He lied about his age so he could join the British Royal Navy in 1916, two years after the first World War began.
Soldiers were required to be at least 18 years old when they signed up.
In 1926, he transferred to the Royal Australian Navy after working as an instructor at a naval depot, according to the Worcester News. During the second World War, he was a torpedo officer and was assigned to blow up the Navy's ships in Fremantle Harbour, Western Australia, had Japanese forces invaded.
Mr Choules retired at age 55 after serving with the Naval Dockyard Police. He didn't take medication in later years and ate three prunes each morning to stay fit, his daughter told the Australian Broadcasting Corp on his 107th birthday. He also exercised daily and was a keen dancer.
"Don't die," was his advice to those seeking the secret to longevity, according to the West Australian newspaper.
Mr Choules had two daughters, Daphne and Anne; a son, Adrian; at least 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and two great- great-grandchildren, according to the Australian Associated Press.
He was married for 80 years to wife Ethel, whom he met on the way to Australia in 1926. She died in 2006 at age 98.