(MOD) WWI Veteran honoured by MoD at his funeral in Oxfordshire

Bearing the coffin in to the church were six Royal Navy personnel, paying tribute to Mr Stone's long military career. Behind the coffin Leading Logistician Jon Ryder - who accompanied Mr Stone at the 90th Anniversary of the Great War Armistice at the Cenotaph last November - carried William's many medals on a cushion. These included the British War Medal for his service in the First World War, and from the Second World War the Atlantic Star, the Africa Star and the 1939-1945 War Medal decorated with an oak leaf for "Mentioned in Despatches".

During the first hymn, "Praise My Soul the King of Heaven", Mr Stone's great-grandchildren Sophie Davidson and Annabel Powell - both aged two - laid flowers on his coffin. Mr Stone's son-in-law, Mr Michael Davidson, led the tributes during the service. The Venerable John Green QHC, Chaplain of the Fleet, gave the Address.

After the coffin was carried out of the church to the tune of "Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye", a Royal Marines bugler sounded the Last Post and Reveille and the church bell was tolled 108 times, one for each year of Mr Stone's life.

Speaking from London, Veterans Minister Kevan Jones paid tribute to the life and career of William Stone. He said:

"I would like to join with the many others who are paying tribute to Mr Stone, a truly remarkable individual, and someone who served this country with such distinction during two world wars to protect our liberty."

William's daughter Anne Davidson said:

"It was wonderful to see so many of William's old friends from both Watlington, where he lived for twenty years, and from all the organisations to which he belonged. William would have been truly delighted. He had an amazingly long and happy life.

"We would like to thank all those who sent the hundreds of kind messages from all over the country and many other parts of the world."

Commodore Al Rymer of the Royal Navy represented the Ministry of Defence at the funeral. He said:

"William Stone served in the Royal Navy for 27 years in a distinguished career that involved him in both World Wars. I'm very honoured to represent the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy today in commemorating his remarkable life. His life is an inspiration to us all."

Following the funeral, a shrub was planted and a plaque dedicated to Mr Stone's memory in the grounds of St Leonard's church by the Watlington Community.

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