No.12236, Private, James Christopher STONE
Aged 19
| He was usually 'James' STONE, especially in the Army. Christopher James Stone and his twin brother Robert Thomas were born in Necton, Norfolk (3rd qtr 1896 Swaffham 4b:349), sons of Robert Thomas and Agnes STONE (née JACKSON). Baptised at Little Fransham on 8th March 1897. Sadly his twin brother died in 1897. 1901 census...Aged 4, he was at Patton ? Main Farm, Necton with his father Robert T. STONE [39] teamster, born East Dereham; his mother Agnes [34] born East Dereham; brother William E. [14], boy on farm born East Dereham; sisters Agnes M.[12] born East Dereham, Lilian [9] born Little Fransham, Rhoda E [7] born Little Fransham and Louisa [6 months] born Necton. Louisa died before her 1st birthday. 1911 census...Aged 14, boy on farm, he was at Kings Row, Shipdham with his parents, father now farm bailiff. His mother had lost 2 of her 7 children (Robert and Louisa) CWGC have his parents at Colts Hall, Cavendish, but his father, as next of kin, was at Hall Cottages, Cockfield in 1914, hence his name on the memorial there. |
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He enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment (no. 8946) in Bury St. Edmunds on 2nd May 1914. He gave his age as 18 years 317 days, a labourer born in
Necton. He was 5 feet 9.3 inches tall, chest 34 to 36 inches, weighing 140lbs, light brown hair, bluish grey eyes, Church of England. He
was discharged as unfit for service on 20th June 1914 due a disease of the middle ear.
This seemingly was not cause for refusal when he next enlisted in the Army in Bury St. Edmunds after the war had started. The battalion war diary for 28th March 1916 has :- "St Eloi - 6:30 a.m. - ordered to move to Dickebusch as Divisional Reserve. Moved off at 8 a.m. and proceeded? to H.16.D and thus to Dickebusch. 6 p.m. relieved 2nd Royal Scots in trenches. Casualties at St. Eloi, 1 man killed 12 men wounded.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
