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Funeral for World War I veteran | Funeral for World War I veteran |
(40 minutes later) | |
The funeral of the last British serviceman to have seen active duty in both world wars has been held in Oxfordshire. | |
William "Bill" Stone died aged 108 on 10 January at a care home in Berkshire. | William "Bill" Stone died aged 108 on 10 January at a care home in Berkshire. |
Mr Stone joined the Royal Navy on his birthday in 1918 and served on ships during both world wars, until 1945. | Mr Stone joined the Royal Navy on his birthday in 1918 and served on ships during both world wars, until 1945. |
Originally from Devon, he lived in Watlington, Oxfordshire, for many years and his funeral was being held there at St Leonard's parish church. | 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 was the last remaining Royal Navy veteran of World War I. | Mr Stone was the last remaining Royal Navy veteran of World War I. |
In November he lead the nation's remembrance at the Cenotaph in London along with two of only three surviving fellow WWI British veterans, 112-year-old Henry Allingham and 110-year old Harry Patch. | In November he lead the nation's remembrance at the Cenotaph in London along with two of only three surviving fellow WWI British veterans, 112-year-old Henry Allingham and 110-year old Harry Patch. |
Bill Stone's motto was "keep going" | |
Mr Stone, whose motto was "keep going", put his longevity down to "clean living, contented mind and trust in God". | |
He was born on 23 September 1900 in Devon, the 10th of 14 children. | |
He served as a stoker on HMS Tiger, 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 where he ran a barber's shop for many years. | |
He married Lily in 1938 and they moved to Watlington in 1986 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. | His wife died in 1995. Mr Stone continued to take an active role in commemorative services of both world wars. |
(L-R) Henry Allingham, Harry Patch and Bill Stone pictured last year | |
In 2004 he was presented with the National Veterans' Badge. | In 2004 he was presented with the National Veterans' Badge. |
He died peacefully at the Masonic care home in Sindlesham surrounded by his family. | He died peacefully at the Masonic care home in Sindlesham surrounded by his family. |
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." | |
Hundreds of mourners looked on as Mr Stone's coffin was carried into the 15th Century church by a group of serving stokers. | |
A bugler played the Last Post at the end of the service before Mr Stone's body was taken to a private cremation. |