Last respects will be paid to one of the longest surviving veterans of the First World War tomorrow.

Former Yorkshire Dragoon cavalry man Edwin Clark, of Ilkley, died peacefully on Saturday, aged 106 - ending a life which had spanned three different centuries.

Queen Victoria was still on the throne when Mr Clark was born, near Doncaster, in 1897, and in the following years he witnessed five more monarchs being crowned.

Mr Clark left for France in 1917, aged 20. Before the end of the war, however, the ineffectiveness of cavalry units in modern warfare had been realised and he was given a new, even more dangerous role - as a scout in no-man's-land.

One of his sons, 77-year-old Alan Clark, of The Lutyens, in Ilkley, fondly remembered his father recalling those terrible times. He said: "No-man's-land was obviously the most dangerous place you could be and he had one or two hair-raising incidents, because he got shot at not only by the Germans but by his own men."

After the war Mr Clark returned to his job with Doncaster Colliery and stayed working in the coal industry, progressing to the role of technical officer, until he retired at the age of 65.

He spent many of the following years in Harrogate, but in his 102nd year moved to Red Gables Nursing Home, in Parish Ghyll Drive, Ilkley, to be nearer to his family.

A self-taught artist, Mr Clark won a first prize in the national Over 60s Art Awards three years ago, aged 103, at the same time as his son Alan was short-listed for another category in the same competition.

He received £1,000 for his efforts, and won another £1,000 for his nursing home - his example even inspiring one of the staff there to take up painting.

Mr Clark junior believes an artistic gene definitely runs through the family.

He said: "Both my father and I were artists and in his retirement, and in mine, we've spent many a happy time together painting around Wharfedale.

"I think the artistic gene must have passed down through the generations too, because both of our boys were good at art and our grandchildren are taking it up, too."

Last year Mr Clark received the Legion D'Honeur from the French Government for his role in France during the First World War, with the then Lord Mayor of Bradford, Richard Wightman, presenting him with the certificate.

Mr Clark junior paid tribute to his father's unflagging spirit and remarkably sturdy health. He said: "He was incredible, My wife and I are in our late 70s and there are people in nursing homes not far off our age who are very frail and struggle even to talk.

"But he had his wits about him the whole time and could talk on all kinds of subjects at great length and with a great deal of experience.

"He also had better eyesight than me - he only really used his glasses for reading!

"He has had a fair bit of press coverage and media attention, especially for being one of the oldest remaining veterans of the First World War.

"Most recently he was on national television talking about the Iraq war and expressing his doubts about it - he had no problem airing his views."

Many members of Mr Clark's large family, including his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, will attend his funeral service at Skipton Crematorium at 1.40pm tomorrow..

Family flowers only are being requested, but donations in his memory may be sent to the Children's Society, Edward Rudolf House, Margery Street, London, WC1X OJL.