A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of five awarded to Major G. F. Stone, Worcestershire Regiment, later City of London Home Guard

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star ( 2227 Pte. G. F. Stone. Worc. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Capt. G. F. Stone.); Defence Medal, with three Identity Tags, and a M.I.D. Certificate, dated 7 April 1918 and mounted on card, nearly extremely fine (lot) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Worcestershire Regiment formed by Group Captain J. E. Barker.

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M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 May 1918.

George Fuller Stone was born in Evesham, Worcestershire, in April 1889. He was the eldest son of W. G. R. Stone, editor of the The Worcester Herald. Stone was educated at Worcester Royal Grammar School, and enlisted as a Private in the 8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment (T.A.) in February 1909. The Battalion was embodied at the outbreak of the Great War, and Stone served with the 1/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 1 April 1915. He served with his younger brother Harold in ‘A’ Company, and was able to go to Harold’s funeral when he died of wounds, 31 May 1915.

Stone advanced to Lance Corporal in June 1915, and applied for a commission later that year. He was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant in the 14th (Service) Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment (Severn Valley Pioneers) in January 1916, and returned for service in France with the Battalion in September of the same year. Stone advanced to Temporary Lieutenant in July 1917, and was appointed 63rd Divisional Tramway Light Railway Officer. He served in the latter capacity until September 1917, and advanced to Acting Captain in March 1918. Stone served as Adjutant of the Battalion for the latter part of 1918, and carried the Colours as they were laid up in Worcester Cathedral, 23 June 1919.

After demobilisation, Stone was a regular attendee of Worcestershire Regiment Reunion dinners and Chairman of the 14th Battalion’s equivalent. He was residing in London at the outbreak of the Second War, and was commissioned Captain in the City of London Home Guard, 1 February 1941. Stone initially served with the 13th City of London (West Ham) Battalion, before advancing to Major with the 6th City of London (Silvertown) Battalion. In later life he resided at 66 Bromwich Road, Worcester, and died in October 1975.

An archive of material relating to the recipient is held by the Regimental Museum.

Sold with a file of copied research, including several photographic images of the recipient.