First World War widow dies at 96

Dorothy Ellis – the final First World War widow whose late husband inspired the novel War Horse – has died aged 96.

Niece Pauline Smith confirmed Mrs Ellis passed away in a nursing home on Wednesday. She was the widow of veteran Wilfred Ellis, who was shot, gassed and left for dead on the front line in 1918.

His memories of the conflict helped shape the novel and theatre production War Horse by Michael Morpurgo.

Mrs Ellis served in the women’s home guard auxiliary during the Second World War.