Bill Stone
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| Bill Stone | |
|---|---|
| September 23, 1900 – | |
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| Place of birth |  Ledstone, Devon, England |
| Allegiance |  British |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | September 23, 1918 – 1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Full list |
| Other work | Store owner |
William "Bill" Stone (born 23 September 1900) is, at age 107, one of the few surviving British veterans of the First World War. He is the last known veteran living in Britain to have served in both the First and the Second World War.
Stone was born in Ledstone, Devon as one of fourteen children, and enlisted into the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday, and went on to serve both as a Stoker aboard the battlecruiser HMS Tiger. He remained in the navy after the war and went on to serve as a Chief Stoker during the Second World War, where he participated in the evacuation of Dunkirk on board the Halcyon class minesweeper HMS Salamander. He was also torpedoed twice, including once while serving aboard the Crown Colony class light cruiser HMS Newfoundland. After the war, he ran his own barbers shop, where he also sold cigarettes and smoking tobacco.
In 2005, he became Fox FM's Local Hero and Central Television's Personality of the Year, and only after breaking his hip in 2006, at age 106, did he leave Watlington to move into a retirement facility in 2007.[1]
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[edit] Medals
- 1914-18 British War Medal
- 1939-45 Star
- The Atlantic Star
- The African Star
- The Italy Star
- 1939-45 Defence Medal
- 1939-45 Victory Medal (with oak leave on ribbon – to signify mention in despatches for bravery at the Sicily landing)
- Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
- Malta Memorial Medal
- Russian Convoy Medal 1945-85
- Dunkirk Medal
- Russian Convoy Medal 1945-95
[edit] Ships sailed upon
- HMS Tiger Battle cruiser – 1919-1922
- HMS Hood Battle cruiser – 1922-1924
- HMS Chrysanthemum Sloop – 1925-1927
- HMS P40 Submarine Chaser – 1928-29
- HMS Eagle Aircraft carrier – 1929-1931
- HMS Harebell Sloop – 1931-1933
- HMS Thanet Destroyer – 1933-1934
- HMS Tenedos Destroyer – 1933-1934
- HMS Carlisle Light cruiser – 1934-1937
- HMS Salamander Mine sweeper – 1937-1941
- HMS Newfoundland Light cruiser – 1941-1944
