Britain's longest-serving poppy seller aged 103, awarded MBE

Britain's longest-serving poppy seller has been appointed an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list and is said to be ‘over the moon’.

Rosemary Powell, aged 103, was honoured just a week after stepping down after 97 years of collecting for the Royal British Legion appeal.

The great-grandmother, who now lives in a nursing home in Chiswick, London, said: "It is very nice that I have been given this. I still vividly remember selling poppies on Twickenham Bridge with my mother for the Royal British Legion's first Poppy Appeal in 1921, aged six.

“They were so popular I remember that we ran out in no time.”

Ms Powell’s life has been hugely impacted by the war, having lost godparents, uncles, a brother, as well as her first fiancé Robin Ellis, who died in a Lancaster bomber the day before their engagement was due to be announced.

After witnessing the impact of war on her own family, she felt compelled to raise funds for those in need.

'Collecting has kept me going all these years'

“Ever since I was born there have been soldiers around me, whether it be family members, friends or even strangers” she said.

“Sadly, war has had a significant impact on my life. We lost a lot of family during World War One and World War Two, and various other family members were wounded. It’s hard to imagine what they went through but my grandparents lost three of their children – with a fourth wounded – during World War One.

“The Royal British Legion has always been a very important cause for me… collecting has kept me going all these years."

Ms Powell’s efforts to help the military and support the Legion have never wavered, and even included making her own poppies when living in Africa as a missionary.

According to her son Giles, she is “absolutely over the moon” with her recognition, adding: “The MBE is a tremendous reward for years and years of hard work and loyalty.”

The director general of The Royal British Legion, Charles Byrne, has congratulated Ms Powell on her MBE, describing her as a “true inspiration”.

He said: “Rosemary’s incredible long-serving support of the Legion has literally helped thousands of Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families over the generations.

“We are forever in debt to Rosemary for her efforts which continue to encourage new generations of volunteers to give their time to the Legion – whether it’s as fundraisers, case workers or information volunteers.

"From everyone at the Legion, we congratulate Rosemary on her MBE and we wish her a very happy retirement.”