One of Britain's last veterans of the First World War was described today as an "inspiration" as hundreds of people gathered to honour him at his funeral.

William "Bill" Stone, who was the only remaining UK-based veteran to serve during both World Wars, died at his nursing home near Wokingham, Berkshire, aged 108.

His family, friends and scores of military personnel from past and present paid their final respects at the packed service at the rural St Leonard's Church in Watlington, the Oxfordshire town where he lived for 20 years.

Mr Stone, a former chief stoker in the Royal Navy, took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 on the minesweeper HMS Salamander.

Tearful friends and family watched as the body of the sailor was carried into the church on the shoulders of six Royal Navy pallbearers.

They followed as the coffin draped in a Union Flag and carrying his blue beret and a wreath of flowers was led by standard bearers from a number of veteran associations he belonged to.

Leading logistician Jon Ryder, who pushed Mr Stone's wheelchair at last year's Armistice Day, followed behind carrying the medals he won during his 27 years service in both wars.

Inside the 12th Century chapel Mr Stone's great-grandchildren Sophie Davidson, two, and Annabel Powell, two, laid flowers on his coffin during the first hymn Praise My Soul the King of Heaven.

Children from the local school added snowdrops to the coffin.

Tributes were led by Mr Stone's son-in-law Michael Davidson. He said: "William loved singing and knew most of the hymns. I would like to think he's listening to this with a critical ear."

He talked about his Naval career saying: "It was the Royal Navy which did so much to shape his character that we all know.

"How exciting must it have been for a young man of 23 to find himself on the deck of the iconic naval ship HMS Hood leading a squadron of ships on a near world wide cruise."

He spoke of how Mr Stone became the ship's barber and once cut the hair of famous Admiral Evans, and even Spanish dictator General Franco's brother.

Mr Davidson also revealed how his cheekiness had landed him in trouble when he shouted halt to a troop of sailors being drilled by their commanding officer, saying 'it was a joke sir', and being given seven days stopped pay as punishment.

He added that Mr Stone 'loved the ladies' and on meeting them 'invariably asked for a kiss'.

He added: "Bill was a very determined person and wanted everything done immediately.

"If I had to find one word to sum up William, it was cheerfulness.

"He often repeated his recipe for life: Clean Living, Contented Mind and Trust In God."

After the service, Mr Stone's daughter said: "He would have really enjoyed the service.

"It was a wonderful service. So many people rallied round to do something to help.

"Bill did so many amazing things in his life.

"He loved the Navy, he would have loved to have gone back in the Navy. His own home he treated like a ship. He could never get used to sleeping in a bed, he was used to sleeping in a hammock.

Canon Tony Williamson added that Mr Stone was well known in the local area, often visiting the schoolchildren and could be seen every year selling poppies in the supermarket.

He told how he had sung 'All the nice girls love a sailor' at his 100th birthday.

He was followed by Vice Admiral Sir Barry Wilson KCB, president of the Newfoundland Association, who read a naval version of The Lord Is My Shepherd.

The address was given by the RN's Chaplain of the Fleet John Green QHC.

The hymns included the naval hymn, For Those In Peril On The Sea, and I Vow To Thee My Country.

After the service the coffin was carried out of the church to the tune of "Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye" and the church bell tolled 108 times - once for every year of Bill's life.

Outside Royal Marine bugler, Caleb Brown from HMS Raleigh in Plymouth, sounded the Last Post.

Daughter Anne Davidson, 69, said: "It was wonderful to see so many of William's old friends from both Watlington, where he lived for 20 years, and from all the organisations to which he belonged. William would have been truly delighted. He had an amazingly long and happy life.

"We would like to thank all those who sent hundreds of kind messages from all over the country and many other parts of the world."

Commodore Al Rymer, head of the Navy stokers, of which Mr Stone was one, said: "William Stone served in the Royal Navy for 27 years in a distinguished career that involved him in both world wars. I'm very honoured to represent the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy today in commemorating his remarkable life. His life is an inspiration to us all."

After the funeral a shrub was planted and a plaque dedicated to Mr Stone's memory in the grounds of the church by the Watlington Community.

His body was taken by his family to a private service held at a local crematorium.

The rector of Watlington, Rev Christopher Evans, who prepared Mr Stone for confirmation at the age of 87, said: "He was an amazing character who was always happy and had a great sense of humour and always had a wonderful story to tell.

"Nothing ever got him down. Up until two years ago he was still walking to the shops to buy his food."

Mr Stone died peacefully in his sleep in a care home in Sindlesham near Wokingham, Berks, on January 10 after a heavy cold.

He took part in the 90th anniversary of the Great War Armistice in November last year.

A chief petty officer he was one of only two surviving veterans to have served in both World Wars. The other, sailor Claude Choules, 107, lives in Australia.

The other surviving Great War veterans are RAF veteran Henry Allingham, 112, and ex-infantryman Harry Patch, 110.