First World War veteran Harry Holmes has died at the age of 101 - more than 80 years after he was blown up by a German shell in Flanders.

Mr Holmes, who lived in Guiseley, died peacefully in his sleep at Leeds General Infirmary on Sunday afternoon with a picture of him receiving the French Government's Legion of Honour medal hanging above his bed. The medal was awarded to a handful of surviving veterans who served on French soil to mark last November's 80th anniversary of the Great War's end.

The former Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment infantryman leaves three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson and will be buried next to his parents at Nab Wood, Shipley, on Friday following a service at 1.30pm.

In January the Telegraph & Argus reported how Mr Holmes was presented with the Legion of Honour medal in hospital in Sheffield, where he was taken after suffering ulcer problems while visiting relatives over Christmas.

The twice-married old soldier, who also suffered a heart attack in hospital, was able to return home to Guiseley in February but was last week admitted to LGI.

Mr Holmes' granddaughter Christine Crump said: "I visited him at the weekend. He was very peaceful and ready to move on.

"We talked about his bungalow and garden and he loved music hall so we sang a couple of his favourites - It's a Long Way to Tipperary and I'm Going to Live to 99.

"He was always very positive about everything and everyone who dealt with him said what a gentleman he was and what a great pleasure it was to be around him.''

David Durrans, West Yorkshire county field officer for the Royal British Legion which arranged the Legion of Honour decoration, said: "It's sad news because he was a fine man and a good soldier. He was well thought of by his family and regiment.

"He will be missed but we're very pleased we were able to get him his medal before he passed away.''

Mr Holmes volunteered for service in 1915 and was shunted through four batallions as most of his comrades were killed. He once took 17 Germans prisoner in one day but was sent back to England to convalesce - eventually being invalided out of the Army in 1917 - when a mortar blew him out of trench at Ypres, leaving his body peppered with shrapnel.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Friends of the Duke of Wellington Regiment at Regimental HQ, Wellesley Park, Halifax, HX2 OBA.

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