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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Henry Allingham, the world's oldest man and the oldest surviving British veteran from World War I, has died at the age of 113, his care home said Saturday.
Henry Allingham was a founding member of the modern Royal Air Force.
Allingham died in his sleep at St. Dunstan's care home in Ovingdean, England, the home said in a statement.
Born on June 6, 1896, Allingham was active until his final days, having celebrated his 113th birthday last month on the HMS President with his family, the care home said.
The Guinness Book of World Records Certified Allingham as the world's oldest man last month, St. Dunstan's said.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Gordon Brown both paid their respects to Allingham on Saturday.
"The queen was saddened to hear of the death of Henry Allingham. He was one of the unique generation who sacrificed so much for us all. Our thoughts are with his family at this time," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
"I had the privilege of meeting Henry many times," said Brown. "He was a tremendous character, one of the last representatives of a generation of tremendous characters. My thoughts are with his family as they mourn his passing but celebrate his life."
Born in the East End of London during the reign of Queen Victoria, Allingham was brought up by his mother and grandparents. His father died when he was a baby.
He joined the Royal Naval Air Service as an aircraft mechanic in 1915 after his mother died.
Allingham was the last known survivor of the Battle of Jutland, considered the greatest naval battle of World War I. He was serving aboard the armed trawler HMT Kingfisher, which was sent to meet up with the British fleet as it fought the Germans off what is now mainland Denmark.
I had to add "naval" to the article since CNN couldn't get it right.
With the passing of Mr. Allingham, only four WWI veterans remain alive.
Claude Stanley Choules, Royal Navy, last surviving seaman of the First World War
Henry John "Harry" Patch, British Army (7th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry), last man to have served in the trenches
John Henry Foster "Jack" Babcock, Canadian Expeditionary Force, last Canadian veteran of the First World War
Frank Woodruff Buckles, U.S. Army, last American veteran of the First World War.
Henry Allingham was a founding member of the modern Royal Air Force.
Allingham died in his sleep at St. Dunstan's care home in Ovingdean, England, the home said in a statement.
Born on June 6, 1896, Allingham was active until his final days, having celebrated his 113th birthday last month on the HMS President with his family, the care home said.
The Guinness Book of World Records Certified Allingham as the world's oldest man last month, St. Dunstan's said.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Gordon Brown both paid their respects to Allingham on Saturday.
"The queen was saddened to hear of the death of Henry Allingham. He was one of the unique generation who sacrificed so much for us all. Our thoughts are with his family at this time," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
"I had the privilege of meeting Henry many times," said Brown. "He was a tremendous character, one of the last representatives of a generation of tremendous characters. My thoughts are with his family as they mourn his passing but celebrate his life."
Born in the East End of London during the reign of Queen Victoria, Allingham was brought up by his mother and grandparents. His father died when he was a baby.
He joined the Royal Naval Air Service as an aircraft mechanic in 1915 after his mother died.
Allingham was the last known survivor of the Battle of Jutland, considered the greatest naval battle of World War I. He was serving aboard the armed trawler HMT Kingfisher, which was sent to meet up with the British fleet as it fought the Germans off what is now mainland Denmark.
I had to add "naval" to the article since CNN couldn't get it right.
With the passing of Mr. Allingham, only four WWI veterans remain alive.
Claude Stanley Choules, Royal Navy, last surviving seaman of the First World War
Henry John "Harry" Patch, British Army (7th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry), last man to have served in the trenches
John Henry Foster "Jack" Babcock, Canadian Expeditionary Force, last Canadian veteran of the First World War
Frank Woodruff Buckles, U.S. Army, last American veteran of the First World War.
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