Florence Green, English soldier (b. 1901)

Florence Beatrice Green: A Remarkable Centenarian and the Last Known WWI Veteran

Florence Beatrice Green, born Patterson on 19 February 1901, was an extraordinary English woman whose life spanned over a century, concluding on 4 February 2012, just shy of her 111th birthday. At the time of her passing, she held the unique distinction of being widely recognised as the last surviving veteran of the First World War from any country, a testament to her remarkable longevity and the global impact of her generation's service.

Her recognition as the final veteran of the Great War, which concluded in November 1918, was a poignant moment, underscoring the dwindling number of individuals who had direct experience of this pivotal historical conflict. While several other claimants had emerged over the years, meticulous historical verification ultimately pointed to Mrs. Green as the last undisputed surviving service member globally, a title she held quietly for many years before it gained widespread public attention.

Service in the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF)

Florence Green's contribution to the war effort was through her service as a member of the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF). The WRAF was established on 1 April 1918, a pioneering military organisation formed during the final year of the First World War. Its primary purpose was to free up male personnel for front-line combat duties by assigning women to vital non-combat roles within the newly formed Royal Air Force (RAF), which itself had just been created from the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.

Women serving in the WRAF undertook a diverse range of responsibilities, from clerical work, mechanical tasks, and transport duties to domestic services within military camps and airfields. These roles were crucial in supporting the war machine and demonstrated the evolving societal contribution of women during wartime.

Florence Green joined the WRAF in September 1918, at the age of 17. She served as a waitress, or officer's mess steward, stationed at two key Royal Air Force airfields in Norfolk: RAF Marham and RAF Sedgeford. Her duties involved providing essential support services that maintained the morale and operational readiness of the air force personnel. She was honorably discharged from service in 1919, following the armistice and the subsequent demobilisation efforts.

A Legacy of Longevity and Service

Florence Green's life after her wartime service was long and full, though largely private. She married Walter Green in 1920 and had three children, living a quiet life in Norfolk. Her status as the last living veteran brought her renewed attention in her final years, allowing the world to reflect on the immense sacrifices and profound changes brought about by the First World War through the eyes of one of its last living witnesses. Her passing marked the end of an era, closing a chapter on the direct human experience of the Great War.

Frequently Asked Questions about Florence Beatrice Green

Who was Florence Beatrice Green?
Florence Beatrice Green was an English woman widely recognised as the last surviving veteran of the First World War from any country at the time of her death in 2012.
When was Florence Beatrice Green born and when did she die?
She was born on 19 February 1901 and passed away on 4 February 2012, just 15 days before her 111th birthday.
What was her role in the First World War?
Florence Green served as a waitress, or officer's mess steward, in the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) at RAF Marham and RAF Sedgeford from September 1918 until her discharge in 1919.
What was the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF)?
The WRAF was a pioneering British military organisation established on 1 April 1918, specifically to enable women to undertake non-combat roles within the Royal Air Force, thereby freeing up male personnel for active combat duties during World War I.
Why was she considered the "last veteran" of WWI?
After extensive verification processes following the deaths of other claimants, Florence Green was confirmed as the last surviving undisputed service member of the First World War globally, making her passing a significant historical marker.