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  • A Remarkable Man

    Last British veteran of both world wars is laid to rest
    A History and Honour news article
    29 Jan 09


    The funeral of William 'Bill' Stone, a former Chief Stoker in the Royal Navy and the last veteran to have served in both the first and second world wars, took place this afternoon in Oxfordshire.

    Bearing the coffin at St Leonard's church in Watlington were six Royal Navy personnel, paying tribute to Mr Stone's long military career.

    Behind the coffin Leading Logistician Jon Ryder, who accompanied Mr Stone at the 90th Anniversary of the Great War Armistice at the Cenotaph in November 2008, carried William's many medals on a cushion.

    These included the British War Medal for his service in the First World War and, from the Second World War, the Atlantic Star, the Africa Star and the 1939-1945 War Medal decorated with an oak leaf for 'Mentioned in Despatches'.

    Standard Bearers from The Royal Navy, The Royal Naval Association, The Royal British Legion, HMS Hood Association and The Dunkirk Veterans Association processed before the hearse to the church.

    During the first hymn, 'Praise My Soul the King of Heaven', Mr Stone's great-grandchildren Sophie Davidson and Annabel Powell, both aged two, laid flowers on his coffin. Mr Stone's son-in-law, Mr Michael Davidson, led the tributes during the service. The Venerable John Green QHC, Chaplain of the Fleet, gave the Address.

    After the coffin was carried out of the church to the tune of 'Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye', a Royal Marines bugler sounded the Last Post and Reveille and the church bell was tolled 108 times, one for each year of Mr Stone's life.

    Speaking from London, Veterans Minister Kevan Jones paid tribute to the life and career of William Stone. He said:

    "I would like to join with the many others who are paying tribute to Mr Stone, a truly remarkable individual, and someone who served this country with such distinction during two world wars to protect our liberty."

    William Stone's daughter Anne Davidson said:

    "It was wonderful to see so many of William's old friends from both Watlington, where he lived for twenty 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 the hundreds of kind messages from all over the country and many other parts of the world."

    Commodore Al Rymer of the Royal Navy represented the Ministry of Defence at the funeral. He 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."

    Other attendees at the funeral were Vice Admiral Sir Barry Wilson KCB, who read at the service and also represented the HMS Newfoundland Association, Mrs Lavinia Newton and Air Vice Marshal Barry Newton who represented the 'Not Forgotten' Association, and the Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Timothy Stevenson OBE, who represented HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, Patron of the World War One Veterans Association.

    Following the funeral, a shrub was planted and a plaque dedicated to Mr Stone's memory in the grounds of St Leonard's church by the Watlington community.

    William Frederick Stone - Biography

    William 'Bill' Stone (1900 – 2009) was the last known veteran, living in the UK, to have served in both the first and second world wars. He was born in Ledstone, Kingsbridge, South Devon, on 23 September 1900.

    One of a family of 14 children, at the age of 15 he went to join the Royal Navy but his father refused to sign the necessary papers as he already had three older sons in the Great War.

    On his 18th birthday William did join the Royal Navy at Devonport as an Ordinary Seaman but transferred to Stoker on the insistence of his brothers who were already serving Stokers (Marine Engineer Mechanics who carry out maintenance on all marine systems on board a ship). His first ship was HMS Tiger, a coal-fired battle cruiser.

    From 1922-1924 he served on HMS Hood and took part in the round-the-world 'Empire Cruise' visiting the Colonies during an eleven-month voyage. He also became the ship's barber, complete with barber's shop, during his off-duty time.

    William served in a number of different types of ship during the inter-war years, eventually joining the minesweeper, HMS Salamander, as Chief Stoker in 1937.

    He married his wife, Lily, in 1938 and in 1939, one week before the start of World War Two, their only child, Anne, was born. In 1940 HMS Salamander took part in the Dunkirk evacuation, making five trips to pick up troops from the beaches, and survived submarine and air attacks. Salamander was then sent on convoy escort and minesweeping duties to Archangel, Russia.

    In 1941 he was drafted, as part of the advance party, to the light cruiser HMS Newfoundland, under construction at Newcastle upon Tyne. After launch, the ship joined the Home Fleet and in 1943 was sent to the Mediterranean to participate in 'Operation Husky' - the Sicily landings.

    Whilst returning to its base in Malta the ship was damaged by a torpedo and subsequently had to go to Boston, USA, for repairs. Following this attack, William was 'mentioned in despatches'. On return to England William served the remainder of the war based at Plymouth where in September 1945 he ended his service after 27 years.

    In civilian life he opened a tobacconist's and hairdresser's in Paignton, Devon, putting to use the haircutting skills acquired during his time in the Navy. Retiring in 1968 he and his wife moved to Watlington, Oxfordshire, in 1986 to be closer to their daughter and family.

    Following Lily's death in 1995, William continued to live in his own home until he reached 106 years of age. During this time he was an active member of the Royal British Legion, and the Dunkirk Veterans, Royal Naval, HMS Hood, HMS Newfoundland and Malta George Cross Island Associations. He was also made an honorary life- member of the Western Front Association.

  • #2
    Only God knows where the world would be were it not for men like him. I wish him and his family only the best.
    "Life: nobody gets out alive."

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    • #3
      God Bless.

      Present Arms.

      Comment


      • #4
        Agreed, A remarkable man and apparently a gentlmen to the end. R.I.P.
        Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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        • #5
          A remarkable man and a remarkable life...RIP

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by dave lukins View Post
            A remarkable man and a remarkable life...RIP
            Ditto RIP

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