Fullbore Friday

One man; two world wars - fullbore.

Hundreds of mourners have gathered in Oxfordshire for the funeral of the last British serviceman to have seen active duty in both world wars.

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.

Originally from Devon, he lived in Watlington, Oxfordshire, for many years and his funeral was held there at his local parish church, St Leonard's.

Mr Stone was the last remaining Royal Navy veteran of World War I.
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His service medals - including the British War Medal, the Atlantic Star, the Africa Star and the 1939-1945 War Medal - decorated with an oak leaf for "Mentioned in Despatches" - were carried on a cushion in the funeral procession.

Mr Stone 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.

Rest in peace Shipmate. Well done.

Hat tip Steve.