THE Worcestershire-born last known combat veteran of the First World War has been laid to rest in Australia.

Claude Choules, who was born in Pershore in 1901, died two weeks ago at the age of 110.

At his funeral yesterday in the western Australian city of Fremantle, his loved ones remembered him as a remarkable man.

Mr Choules’ son Adrian urged mourners not to be sad as his father had lived "a very long and very wonderful life".

Meanwhile, in his birth town, teachers from Pershore High School played a trumpet tribute to Mr Choules just before 9am yesterday in Bridge Street, Pershore, organised by BBC Hereford and Worcester.

Head of Religious Studies Jon Knight played the Last Post and music teacher Peter Butler played Reveille, the call normally used to wake military personnel.

Mr Knight, who has been playing the bugle since he was 12, said: “It’s very important not only to pay respect to Claude, but also for our students coming through the school to keep remembering.

“He was the last witness to the First World War and now that he’s gone it’s more important than ever that we keep the memories alive so the students realise it’s an awful thing that should never happen again.”

Trudy Burge, honorary secretary of Pershore and District Royal Naval Association, said it would be following the wishes of Mr Choules’s family and celebrating his life.

“We should celebrate his remarkable life and achievements,” she said.

“I feel so proud that a resident of Pershore has gone on to have such a wonderful long service in the Royal Navy and he should be an inspiration to us all.”

Mrs Burge said a wreath was laid in memory of Mr Choules at the official unveiling of the Pershore Commemorative Garden on Sunday, May 8.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, Mr Choules joined the Royal Navy aged just 14.

In 1917, he joined the battleship HMS Revenge, from which he watched the 1918 surrender of the German High Seas Fleet, the main battle fleet of the German Navy during the war.

In 1926, he transferred to the Royal Australian Navy.

Mr Choules published his autobiography at the age of 108.