William ‘Bill’ Stone was the last remaining British veteran of both World War I and World War II. He was laid to rest near his home in Oxfordshire, England. Read about him and see photos and a video below.
William ‘Bill’ Stone
“I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve always worked hard, never stopped for a minute and it’s kept me going all right” ~ Bill Stone
Bill Stone lived to be 108 years old. He survived World War I and World War II. The war veteran was the last surviving British veteran of both world wars. Only two World War I veterans remain, Henry Allingham, 112, and Harry Patch, 110.
Stone served in the Royal Navy for 27 years. He joined in September 1918, when he was 18 years old, serving as a stoker.
The last surviving Briton to have served in two world wars, Mr Stone joined the Navy in September 1918, and served on a variety of ships including HMS Hood (long before her encounter with the Bismarck). He helped with the evacuation at Dunkirk, carried out minesweeping operations from Murmansk and was serving as chief petty officer on HMS Newfoundland when she was torpedoed during the invasion of Sicily. In all, his naval career lasted 27 years, and his funeral was everything an old tar could have wished for. Indeed, there may well be naval officers with far more distinguished careers who did not have a send-off such as this. In attendance was Vice-Admiral Sir Barry Wilson, of the HMS Newfoundland Association, Air Vice-Marshal Barry Newton, of the Not Forgotten Association, and the Lord Lieutenant for Oxfordshire to represent the Duchess of Gloucester, who is patron of the World War One Veterans’ Association. The guard of honour outside St Leonard’s Church in Watlington were standard bearers from the veterans’ associations, old men in blazers bedecked with medals who lined the path as the coffin, draped in the Union Flag, was brought into the church.
Mr Stone’s medals, eight of them, including the Atlantic Star and a medal for the Second World War with oak leaf, gained after being mentioned in dispatches, were carried on a blue velvet cushion.
Stone was born on September 23, 1900 in Kingsbridge, Devon, England. He as the 10th of 14 children. He married a girl from his village in 1938, Lilly. He and Lilly were married for 70 years and had one daughter, Anne. Anne married Michael Davidson, who eulogized his father-in-law, attributing his longevity to cheerfulness, clean living and an enjoyment of life.
William ‘Bill’ Stone - Photos
The Last Post - Video