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Funeral of World War I veteran Funeral of World War I veteran
(about 4 hours later)
The funeral of William Stone, the World War I veteran who died aged 108, is due to be held in Oxfordshire later. The funeral of the last British serviceman to have seen active duty in both world wars is being held in Oxfordshire.
He joined the Royal Navy on his birthday in 1918 and served on ships through both world wars until 1945. William "Bill" Stone died aged 108 on 10 January at a care home in Berkshire.
He lived in Watlington, Oxfordshire, for 20 years before two years ago moving to a care home in Sindlesham, Berkshire, where he died on 10 January. Mr Stone joined the Royal Navy on his birthday in 1918 and served on ships during both world wars, until 1945.
Military representatives will join family and friends at his funeral in Watlington from 1430 GMT. Originally from Devon, he lived in Watlington, Oxfordshire, for many years and his funeral was being held there at St Leonard's parish church.
Mr Stone, who was known as Bill, was the last remaining Navy veteran of World War I. Mr Stone was the last remaining Royal Navy veteran of World War I and in November he lead the nation's remembrance at the Cenotaph in London along with fellow WWI veterans 112-year-old Henry Allingham and 110-year old Harry Patch.
'Contented mind'
Last November, he helped lead the nation's remembrance at the Cenotaph in London along with fellow WWI veterans 112-year-old Henry Allingham and 110-year old Harry Patch.
Mr Stone was born on 23 September 1900 in South Devon, the 10th of 14 children and joined the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday.
(L-R) Henry Allingham, Harry Patch and Bill Stone pictured last year
He served as a stoker on ships such as HMS Hood and HMS Salamander and took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk, making five trips to pick up troops from the beaches.
After leaving the navy he returned to Devon and ran a barber's shop for many years.
He married his wife Lily in 1938 and they moved to Watlington in 1986 to be closer to their daughter Anne.
His wife died in 1995, but Mr Stone continued to take an active role in commemorative services of both world wars.
He put his longevity down to "clean living, contented mind and trust in God".He put his longevity down to "clean living, contented mind and trust in God".
His motto was "keep going".His motto was "keep going".
William "Bill" Stone's motto was "keep going"
Mr Stone was born on 23 September 1900 in South Devon, the 10th of 14 children and joined the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday.
He served as a stoker on ships such as HMS Hood and HMS Salamander and took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940, making five trips to pick up troops from the beaches.
After leaving the navy he returned to Devon and ran a barber's shop for many years.
He married his wife Lily in 1938 and they moved to Watlington in 1968 to be closer to their daughter Anne.
His wife died in 1995. Mr Stone continued to take an active role in commemorative services of both world wars.
Before the funeral service, Keith Evans, of the HMS Hood Association, told the BBC: "He constantly pulled my leg and had a rather wicked sense of humour. It was a privilege to have known Bill."