First World War veteran William Stone has died.

The 108-year-old has been described as a “tremendous character” by daughter Anne Davidson.

Mr Stone, who lived in Watlington for more than 20 years, suffered a heavy chest cold and died at his care home in Sindlesham, Berkshire, on Saturday.

Mrs Davidson, of Beaconsfield, said: “He was a very determined character and a man of great faith.

“I think he would like to be remembered as a very happy person. He was happy right to the end, as long as he had people around him. He always found something to joke about.”

The veteran, who served in the Royal Navy between 1918 and 1945, was born one of 14 children in Devon in 1900.

He joined the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday – two months before the end of the First World War – and served until the end of the Second World War.

Mr Stone, known as ‘Bill’, took part in the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk in 1940.

He married his wife Lily in 1938 and their daughter was born the following year.

The couple moved to Watlington in 1986, where Mr Stone became a well-known figure in the town.