MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (006/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 12
January 2009
It is with great
sadness that the family of William 'Bill' Stone have
announced his passing away at his care home on Saturday aged 108.
Mr Stone was one of the three remaining British veterans of the
First World War, who took part in the 90th Anniversary of the
Great War Armistice in London in November 2008. He was born in
Ledstone, Kingsbridge, South Devon on 23 September 1900, one of a
family of 14 children. He joined the Royal Navy on his 18th
birthday and followed his three older brothers by serving as a
Stoker. From 1922-1924 he served in HMS Hood and took part in the
round-the-world 'Empire Cruise' visiting the Colonies
during an eleven-month voyage.
During the Second World War as Chief Stoker of HMS Salamander, Mr
Stone took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk, making five trips to
pick up troops from the beaches. Mr Stone also served in the
Sicily landings of 1943 with HMS Newfoundland, and was
'mentioned in despatches' after a torpedo attack en
route back to their base in Malta.
Mr Stone married his wife Lily in 1938 and their daughter Anne
was born the following year. Lily passed away in 1995.
William's daughter, Anne Davidson, said:
"William had a remarkable, long, healthy and happy life. He
thoroughly enjoyed going to events, meeting people and, whenever
possible, regaling those around him with his fund of Naval stories
and jokes. He loved singing, knew most hymns by heart and had an
amazing repertoire of old-time songs - often with alternative words!
"He was a very determined character both in his Naval career
and in civilian life and, no doubt, this contributed greatly to
his longevity. He was a man of great faith and his recipe for long
life was:
"Clean Living, Contented Mind and Trust in
God". His Motto - "Keep Going".
"William will be sadly missed by his family and many friends".
Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said:
"I am saddened to learn of the death of William Stone who
was the UK's last surviving veteran from both the First and
Second World Wars.
"We owe a great deal to the men and women who served this
country with such distinction during those wars to protect our
liberty. William was a man who represented the courage, spirit and
determination of his generation. He was an inspiration to us all."
The funeral will be held at St Leonard's Church of England
in Watlington, Oxfordshire, towards the end of January. Further
details including access for media will be published in due course.
Notes to Editors
1. A biography of William Stone is included below.
2. For more information contact Paul Leat in the MoD Press Office
on 020 7218 7931.
William Frederick Stone - Biography
William 'Bill' Stone (1900 - 2009) was the last known
veteran, living in the UK, to have served in both WWI and WWII. He
was born in Ledstone, Kingsbridge, South Devon on 23rd 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. His first ship was HMS
Tiger, a coal-fired battle cruiser. From 1922-1924 he served in
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 WW2, 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 surviving submarine and air attacks. Salamander was then sent
on convoy escort and minesweeping duty 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. Having
retired 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.
In February 2007 he moved into a Masonic Care Home at Sindlesham
near Wokingham, Berkshire. He had been a Freemason since 1933.