Lieutenant Colonel Mordaunt Cohen, the Second World War veteran and former chairman of Jewish veterans' group AJEX, has died aged 102.

Lt Col Cohen was among the most high-profile veterans of the war, whose tireless work over decades educating people about the conflict led to his being made an MBE last year.

His death was announced on Saturday by Saul Taylor, the eldest of his eight grandchildren.

His family described him as "a one of a kind, an extraordinary man and true fighter”.

After qualifying to be a solicitor, he joined the army in 1940, having heard the plight of European Jews from refugees who had come to his native Sunderland.

His first command was leading the predomiantly Muslim Royal West African Frontier Force in Nigeria. He also served in Burma, which saw some of the war's most brutal fighting.

After returning home, he resumed a legal career. He and his wife, Judge Myrella Cohen QC, made legal history when they became the first married couple to both hold full-time judicial roles.

For 60 years, he led the 1st AJEX Battalion down Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday. He only stopped three years ago when he was no longer able to walk the distance.

He educated people about the war and particularly about the 60,000 British Jews who fought in it.

In a statement, the family said he "was well aware of his place as one of the last surviving senior officers who served in World War II and that he was one of the last few who had the ability to tell the story first-hand.

"He spent much of his time telling his military story and over many years was one of the most active and high profile veterans, speaking all over the country.

"He saw it as his duty to inform young people of what life was like in the war and the importance of remembering those who sacrificed their lives so that future generations may live in peace.

"He was particularly passionate of teaching about the Jewish contribution to the war effort, with 60,000 Jews serving in World War Two. All of this was done with dignity and a profound sense of duty."

He is survived by two children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.