a hero

yesterday the word became a little darker, a little colder. William Stone took his last breaths and the world will forever be a little more empty because of it. He was a brave man, William Stone. Conscripted into the Royal Navy at 18, Mr. Stone proudly served in both the first and second world wars. He was the last surviving veteran in the world who saw active duty in both of the wars. and it wasnt grunt work for Mr. Stone either; most famously his ship played a key role in the evacuation of Dunkirk.

I could go on and on about Mr. Stone and the part he played in both the first and second world wars, as well as his home and family life. He was a brave man, he was a good man, he was a humble man. and i am honoured that i had the chance to see that first hand before he died. I will forever treasure Rememberence Day 2008 for several reasons. Mostly becasue it was a dream come true to be in the same space as 3 of the oldest surving First World War vets. But also because there will never be another chance for that moment again.

Let me leave you with this, Mr. Stone's motto: "clean living, contentened mind and trust in God. Keep going" William Stone 'kept going' for a long 108 years. Today is a sad day as the world is without one of it's best. But rest assured, the legacy left by men such as Mr. Stone will forever be remembered...




...Lest We Forget.....


(from L-R, Henry Alingham, Harry Patch, William Stone)