FLORENCE BEATRICE GREEN LAST VETERAN OF WORLD WAR I
Florence Beatrice Green (nee' Patterson) is the last Veteran of World War I. She was born 19 February 1901 in Edmonton, a suburb north of London, England to Frederick and Sarah (nee' Neal) Patterson.
Florence Green joined the Women's Royal Airforce (previously known as the Royal Flying Corps) on 3 September 1918 at age 17. The purpose of the WRAF was to provide female mechanics and drivers, which would free up men to fight in the war, however the massive enrollment by women in support of the war effort filled the mechanics position by the time Florence applied. She was offered, and accepted a position as a mess steward (previous to World War I that position was filled by men) and was assigned to the officer's mess at the Royal Airforce base at Marham, Norfolk, and was based at Narborough airfield serving until 1919. Her service as a member of the WRAF qualifies her for Veteran status and she is so recognized by her service record in the Military Service Records at the UK National Archives. BBC and British newspapers have interviewed Mrs. Green frequently. She recalls one amusing incident when the Armistice was announced on 11 November 1918. The pilots at Marham got into their planes and "bombed" the nearby base at Narborough with bags of flour. The pilots at Narborough retaliated by bombing Marham with bags of soot. She remarked, "It seems like such a long time ago now." She said, "I met dozens of pilots and would go on dates. I had the opportunity to go up in one of the planes but I was scared of flying. I would work every hour God sent. But I had dozens of friends on the base and we had a great deal of fun in our spare time. In many ways, I had the time of my life."
Marham was a major air base in the RAF. As the battle in the skies grew in significance as the war progressed planes, such as Sopwith Camels, S.E.5a and Spad's were stationed at Marham and Narborough were stationed at the bases, which increased the number of pilots and support personnel of which Florence Green was a part.
In 1920 Florence Beatrice Patterson who, had married Walter Green, moved to King's Lynn in Norfolk. The Green's had three children, two boys and a girl. Her husband, a railway worker, passed away in 1970. Florence Patterson Green, the last Veteran of World War I still lives in King's Lynn with her daughter, May who was born in 1921. Florence has four grandchildren and seven-great grandchildren.
The Order of the First World War salutes Florence Beatrice Green, WRAF, the last veteran of World War I for her service to her nation and the Allied cause in the Great War. 
Order of the First World War