Rosemary Powell, MBE

Her Majesty's Birthday Honours List has been released. Of course, there are the well known, footballers, rappers, actors and actresses, a boxer, and other celebrities. But there are also those who were probably unknown outside their village or neighbourhood until the list was released.

One of them, the oldest person on the list, is Rosemary Powell, 103. She has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her voluntary service. Her service has consisted of being a poppy seller for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

The British Legion was formed in 1921, and was granted the honour of the 'Royal' prefix on the occasion of its 50th anniversary in 1971. By that point this remarkable lady had been selling poppies on Remembrance Day for fifty years! Yes, you read that right. She began her career as a volunteer poppy seller at the age of six, the very first year the Poppy Appeal was held.

She has said that this is her last year as she feels she is getting old! As a member of the Royal British Legion and the grandson of a Great War veteran of the British Army, I say, 'Thank you, Rosemary Powell! May you live long to enjoy your retirement and may God bless you.'

From the Mirror

This will be Rosemary Powell's last year collecting as she feels she is “getting old” (Image: PA)

Former Second World War nurse Rosemary Powell, who at 103 is the oldest on the list, is made an MBE for voluntary service.

She has spent an astonishing 97 years collecting for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, and announced she will hang up her collecting tin just days ago because she feels she is “getting old”.

Rosemary was just six when she began selling the Royal British Legion poppies on Remembrance Day in 1921 – the year the appeal was first held.

She said: "We did it in memory of those men who were killed – for their sacrifice. Sadly war has had a significant impact on my life.”