Claude Choules

The world's last known surviving male combatant of World War One died today aged 110.

He was a British born navy man who, like my grandfather, transfered to the Royal Australian Navy and came to live here. He served on the same ship as my grandfather, who died when I was a child but was still younger than Choules, and almost certainly knew him (my grandfather was later head of naval police in Sydney).

Choules leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Now that's a life.

He vocally loathed war and considered it a waste of lives, time and money - and recommended the politicians be sent to fight the ones they start.

The funeral will be held in St John's Church in Fremantle.