Flora Sandes: The only British woman to fight on the frontline in World War One

Ms Sandes was born in Nether Poppleton near York.

Ms Robinson explained she was the daughter of a “very well connected” Anglo-Irish vicar who became the Marlesford vicar and moved the family there.

When World War One broke out in 1914, she was 38 and was keen to serve.

“She ended up volunteering for the Red Cross when World War One broke out and she was rejected because she only had St John’s Ambulance Brigade certificates and no practical experience,” Ms Robinson told BBC Radio Suffolk.

“That really upset her and she then discovered there was a group of volunteer nurses going to Serbia and she went with them.”

She worked in Serbia for several years, but when the country was invaded in 1916 and they were told to retreat, Ms Sandes refused to abandon the forces she had been assigned to and instead joined them.

She was the only British woman fighting directly against the Germans.

Over time she rose in the army’s ranks up to an officer and, according to Ms Robinson, she is still remembered in Serbia today for her efforts.