FRIENDS and family congregated to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of the last surviving veteran of the First World War.

Dozens of people packed into St Nicholas’ Church, Church Street, Brighton yesterday to remember Henry Allingham and the millions of others who died in the Great War.

Relatives from America were among family members who joined Brighton and Hove Mayor Brian Fitch and the Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex.

Mr Allingham was born in Clapton, London, but later lived in Eastbourne and Ovingdean.

He joined the Royal Navy Air Force and was at the Battle of Jutland before transferring to the Royal Air Force.

Following the war he worked as an engineer and at the time of his death he had seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandchild.

He died aged 113 in July 2009 as the last surviving veteran of the First World War.