Frank H. Stone

Lance Sergeant, London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles)

Frank H. Stone lived at 33 Vestry Road, Camberwell and was a student at Alleyn’s until 1908. During his time at school, he was a House Prefect for Brown’s and a member of the School Football and Cricket First XIs. After the outbreak of the First World War, Frank decided to join the war effort and was attached to the London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) after being found fit for service. Frank served overseas on the Western Front as a Lance Sergeant and saw action in France and Flanders with the London Regiment. In May 1916, he was serving in France as the British made preparations for the Battle of the Somme, when he was killed in action on May 26^th 1916. After receiving the news of Frank’s passing, his Commanding Officer wrote home to his parents, stating that – ‘No cheerier soul could have been found in the whole of the British Army. No matter what discomforts or what dangers surrounded him he was always cheerful, always had a bright smile and cheerful word for everybody. Of such stuff have all heroes of our race been made. He was one of the few and decreasing number who came across the battalion when we first landed, and I shall have great difficulty in finding anyone of such experience, courage and reliability to replace him’. Frank is buried at Hebuterne Military Cemetery.