World War I, also known as the Great War, was one of the most transformative and devastating conflicts in human history. Fought between 1914 and 1918, it involved over 70 million military personnel and resulted in more than 16 million deaths. As of today, the world continues to remember and honor the sacrifices of those who served during that conflict. A common question many still ask is: Are any World War I veterans still alive in 2025?
The simple answer is no—as of 2025, there are no surviving veterans of World War I. The last known living veteran passed away in 2012. However, the legacy of WWI lives on through records, museums, descendants, and national commemorations.
The Last Living Veterans of World War I
Florence Green (United Kingdom)
Florence Green was the last known surviving veteran of World War I. She served in the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) in the final months of the war. Although she did not serve in combat, her service during wartime qualifies her as a veteran. Florence Green died on February 4, 2012, in the United Kingdom at the age of 110.
Her death marked the official end of the living connection to World War I. She served as a steward in the WRAF beginning in September 1918, shortly before the Armistice.
Claude Choules (United Kingdom / Australia)
Claude Choules was the last known combat veteran of the First World War. Born in England in 1901, he served in the British Royal Navy and later in the Royal Australian Navy. His duties included witnessing the surrender of the German fleet in 1918. After moving to Australia, he served again during World War II.
Choules passed away on May 5, 2011, at the age of 110, in Perth, Australia. He consistently rejected the glorification of war and chose not to attend military commemorations in his later life.
Frank Buckles (United States)
Frank Buckles was the last American veteran of World War I. Born on February 1, 1901, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917 at the age of 16 by lying about his age. He served as an ambulance driver in Europe.
After World War I, Buckles also survived being a civilian prisoner during World War II in the Philippines. He became an advocate for establishing a national World War I memorial in Washington, D.C.
He died on February 27, 2011, at the age of 110, in West Virginia. His death marked the end of America’s living connection to the First World War.
Harry Patch (United Kingdom)
Harry Patch, known as the “Last Fighting Tommy,” was the final British soldier to have fought in the trenches of World War I. He served as a machine gunner in the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the war’s deadliest campaigns.
Patch rarely spoke about the war until later in life, but when he did, his words deeply resonated. He passed away on July 25, 2009, at the age of 111. He became a powerful voice for peace in his later years, warning against the horrors of warfare.
Franz Künstler (Austria-Hungary)
Franz Künstler was the last known Central Powers veteran of World War I. Born in what is now Romania, he served in the Austro-Hungarian Army on the Italian front. He was drafted in 1918, just before the end of the war.
He died on May 27, 2008, in Germany at the age of 107. His death symbolized the closing of the chapter for veterans who had fought on the opposing side of the Allies.
Why No WWI Veterans Are Alive Today
World War I ended over 106 years ago, and most soldiers were already adults during the time of the conflict. As the decades passed, the number of surviving veterans naturally decreased due to age.
Even those who enlisted at the youngest legal age (15–17 years old in some countries) would be well over 120 years old in 2025. Given that the current confirmed record for human longevity is 122 years, it is biologically and statistically impossible for any World War I veteran to still be alive today.
Preserving the Legacy of WWI Veterans
Though no veterans survive, the legacy of their service continues. Museums, memorials, archives, and educational programs help preserve their stories and sacrifices.
Key Memorials and Institutions
- The National World War I Museum and Memorial (Kansas City, USA): One of the most comprehensive collections dedicated to the war.
- The Menin Gate (Ypres, Belgium): A daily memorial ceremony still honors fallen soldiers.
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Maintains cemeteries and memorials for British and Commonwealth soldiers worldwide.
These institutions not only educate future generations but also serve as sites of solemn reflection.
Importance of Remembrance
The deaths of the last veterans shifted responsibility from eyewitnesses to the public. Now, it is up to historians, educators, descendants, and citizens to carry the weight of remembrance.
Public remembrance days such as Armistice Day (November 11) and Veterans Day (in the U.S.) continue to feature tributes to World War I soldiers. In the United Kingdom, the Two-Minute Silence observed at 11:00 a.m. on November 11 continues to be widely respected.
Documentaries, books, poetry, and digital archives have also played a major role in preserving first-hand accounts. Famous WWI poets like Wilfred Owen, Siegfried Sassoon, and John McCrae continue to resonate today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any WWI veterans alive in 2025?
No. The last surviving WWI veteran, Florence Green, passed away in 2012.
Who was the last American WWI veteran?
Frank Buckles was the last American WWI veteran. He died in 2011 at the age of 110.
What was the average age of WWI soldiers?
Most soldiers were between the ages of 18 and 30. Some enlisted as young as 15.
Are there WWI memorials still maintained today?
Yes. Dozens of countries maintain official war graves, museums, and memorials to honor WWI soldiers.
Why is it important to remember WWI veterans?
Their service played a key role in shaping the modern world. Remembering them ensures we learn from the past and honor those who sacrificed their lives.
Conclusion
There are no surviving veterans of World War I in 2025. Yet the memory of their service, sacrifice, and humanity continues to endure. Through national memorials, global history education, and cultural preservation, their voices still echo more than a century later.
The question is no longer about who remains, but how we choose to remember. The responsibility now falls on all of us to honor their memory, to reflect on the profound costs of global conflict, and to ensure that such history remains alive through remembrance and learning.
In this way, though the last veteran may be gone, the legacy of World War I lives on—etched into the collective conscience of nations and future generations.