News
A tribute to WWI veteran William Stone
15 January 2009
Mr William Stone
23 September 1900 – 10 January 2009
Lord Harris Court resident and World War I veteran, Mr William Stone, passed away peacefully on Saturday 10 January. Mr Stone, known to staff, residents and friends as Bill, was also the RMBI’s oldest resident at 108.
Mr Stone served in the Royal Navy in both WWI and WWII and was the last British person to serve in both wars. One of 14 children, he joined the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday, following three of his elder brothers and served on the HMS Tiger.
During WWII he was chief stoker on HMS Salamander and took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk making five trips to pick up troops from the beaches. He later took part in the Sicily landings of 1943 where his ship, HMS Newfoundland, was damaged by a torpedo attack after which he was “mentioned in despatches” for his part in saving her.
On 11 November last year, Mr Stone took part in Remembrance Day celebrations to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the end of World War I, alongside WWI veterans, Harry Patch and Henry Allingham, now the last two surviving WWI veterans in Britain.
Mr Stone was initiated into Freemasonry in November 1932 in 'United Service Lodge' No 3473, Portland, Dorset. After the end of WWII, living in Devon, he joined 'Courtland Lodge' No 6706 at Paignton, Devon. In later years, and following retirement, Mr Stone and his wife moved to Oxfordshire, where he joined 'Icknield Way Lodge' No 8292, Thame, Oxon., and 'Oxfordshire Lodge of Service and Honour' No 9162, at Oxford.
Last year, Mr Stone was thrilled to be presented with a certificate in recognition of his 75 years in Freemasonry, by the Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire, Stephen Dunning.
Mr Stone moved to Lord Harris Court two years ago, living in his own home until he was 106. Home Manager, Sue Burton said of Mr Stone, “Bill had a great sense of fun, always joining in with singing and other entertainment in the Home.”
Anne Davidson, Mr Stone’s daughter, said, “[He] had a remarkable, long, healthy and happy life. He was a very determined character both in his Naval career and in civilian life and, no doubt, this contributed greatly to his longevity.
“William was very happy at [Lord Harris Court] and enjoyed the company of the staff and fellow residents. He loved to participate in the various activities whenever he was able. He was particularly pleased to be able to attend the Sunday Chapel services and join in the hymns, most of which he knew by heart!
“He was a man of great faith and his recipe for long life was “Clean living, contented mind and trust in God”.”
It has been both a privilege and a pleasure for the RMBI to care for William Stone and he will be sadly missed by us all.
