Last Briton Born In 19th Century Dies Aged 113

The last remaining Briton born in the 19th century has died at the age of 113 - just weeks after the UK’s oldest man also died.

Grace Jones, of Bermondsey, south London, died in hospital on Thursday morning after suffering a fall, just three weeks short of her birthday on December 7.

Ms Jones, who was born in 1899, was engaged during the First World War but never married after her fiancé was killed on active duty.

Bermondsey Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes paid tribute to the former seamstress who lived in her council flat until recently.

Mr Hughes said: "We are all very sad today but we pay tribute to Grace for her wonderful, vibrant and long life, for her commitment to her faith, her family and her community, and we know that a woman of such strong Christian faith faced death with no fear.

"Although she found her failing strength frustrating, right up until her last week Grace's memory and intellect were undimmed."

He added: "All those who met Grace knew they had met one of London's most doughty individuals and she will never be forgotten."

It comes weeks after the UK’s oldest man, 110-year-old great-great-grandfather Ralph Tarrant, died on October 30.

His funeral was held in Sheffield this week and his daughter, Chris Carter, described him to the Sheffield Telegraph as a "fun-loving guy" whose main aim was to take care of his family.

He had two children, eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

His wife, Phyllis, died two years ago aged 102. Until then, they were Britain's longest-married couple at 79 years.

Mr Tarrant was born in Nottingham in 1903 but lived in Sheffield for most of his life.

He worked in the steel industry and later sold insurance before serving in the RAF during the Second World War.

On his 110th birthday, he revealed that he had smoked until he was 70 and still enjoyed a glass of whisky.