Poppy stalwart Rosemary Powell

Britain’s longest-serving poppy seller has died at the age of 103, nine days after being presented with her MBE.

Rosemary Powell helped her mother sell poppies on Richmond Bridge for the Royal British Legion’s first Poppy Appeal in 1921, aged six.

She spent the next 97 years collecting for the charity, but announced earlier this year that she would be hanging up her tin for the final time.

The great-grandmother, from London, was included in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her remarkable service to the Legion.

Mrs Powell, who died on August 15, is survived by three sons, four grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

Her support for the Legion will continue after her death, with a donation from each copy of her memoir going to the charity.

In an obituary, her family said: “She had known the cost of war.

“Four of her uncles died in the First World War; another was a lifelong invalid from Afghanistan in 1914; her fiance was killed in a plane crash and her brother, who won the MC for bravery in Egypt, died of cerebral malaria or possibly suicide; two godfathers died and her father was badly wounded at the Somme.”

Charles Byrne, director general of the Royal British Legion, previously described Mrs Powell as “truly inspirational”.

Picture: PA. A special memorial event for Rosemary Powell will take place at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, in October.