Harry Patch: 1898 - 2009

Harry Patch in 2002 Photograph: Adrian Sherratt/Rex Features

Harry Patch meets the Queen in Wells, Somerset, in 2002 Photograph: Barry Batchelor/PA

Harry Patch meets the Prince of Wales during a visit to the National Archives at Kew in 2003 Photograph: PA

Harry Patch displays his medals in 2004 Photograph: Phil Yeomans/Rex Features

Harry Patch in Ypres in 2004 with Charles Kuentz, the last remaining German soldier from the first world war Photograph: Rex Features

Harry Patch meets Tony Blair during a reception for British military veterans at Downing Street in 2006 Photograph: Andrew Stuart/PA

Harry Patch at the launch of the 2007 Royal British Legion poppy appeal in Weston-super-Mare Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Gordon Brown points at the medals of Harry Patch during the Armistice anniversary reception for war veterans at 10 Downing Street in 2008 Photograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/PA

Harry Patch poses for a formal portrait taken by Don McCullin, which was commissioned by the Ministry of Defence and released to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the Great War Armistice, on 11 November 2008 Photograph: Don McCullin/Reuters

Armistice Day 2008, marking the 90th anniversary of the end of the first world war, at the Cenotaph, Whitehall, London. Harry Patch leads the wreath laying service Photograph: David Levene

Harry Patch with Able Seaman Aimee Kelly and other crew members of HMS Somerset at the launch of the 2008 poppy appeal Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA