Charles Edwin Stone
Gunner, 83rd Brigade. * Royal Field Artillery
- Register No.
- 1185 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Gunner all Gunners →
- Unit
- 83rd Brigade. * Royal Field Artillery all Royal Field Artillery VCs →
- Date of action
- 21 March 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 22nd May 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- the 4th February 1889 at Denby, near Belper, Derbyshire
- Died
- 29th August 1952 at Derby, Derbyshire
- Memorial / grave
- in Belper Cemetery, Derbyshire
- Medal held by
- the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich
Digest of citation
After being subjected to heavy gas and shellfire for more than six hours, as he continuously worked hard at his gun, Gunner Stone was sent to the rear with an order. After delivering the order, voluntarily, he returned, with his rifle, to help delay the enemy on a sunken road. He lay in the open, only 100 yards from the enemy , all the time under extremely heavy machine-gun fire, as he continuously and accurately shot the enemy until he was ordered to retire. He then took up a position on the right of the two rear guns, holding the enemy at bay as they continuously attempted to outflank the guns. During this time an enemy soldier managed to break through. Regardless of his own safety and the machine-gun fire raging all around him, Gunner Stone chased him and killed him, thus saving the flank of the Guns. Later, during dusk, four of the enemy with a machine-gun had managed to get round to the rear. Gunner Stone was a member of the party who captured these men and the gun. Their act undoubtedly saved the detachment who were firing their guns. Gunner Stone's actions during the day, was beyond praise. His actions undoubtedly allowed the guns to be kept in action, holding the enemy at a most crucial moment
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
STONE, Charles Edwin. (reg No. 1185).
Gunner. 83rd Brigade. * Royal Field Artillery.
London Gazetted on 22nd May 1918.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich.
Born on the 4th February 1889 at Denby, near Belper, Derbyshire.
Died on 29th August 1952 at Derby, Derbyshire.
Memorial on grave in Belper Cemetery, Derbyshire.
Digest of Citation reads:. After being subjected to heavy gas and shellfire for more than six hours, as he continuously worked hard at his gun, Gunner Stone was sent to the rear with an order. After delivering the order, voluntarily, he returned, with his rifle, to help delay the enemy on a sunken road. He lay in the open, only 100 yards from the enemy , all the time under extremely heavy machine-gun fire, as he continuously and accurately shot the enemy until he was ordered to retire. He then took up a position on the right of the two rear guns, holding the enemy at bay as they continuously attempted to outflank the guns. During this time an enemy soldier managed to break through. Regardless of his own safety and the machine-gun fire raging all around him, Gunner Stone chased him and killed him, thus saving the flank of the Guns. Later, during dusk, four of the enemy with a machine-gun had managed to get round to the rear. Gunner Stone was a member of the party who captured these men and the gun. Their act undoubtedly saved the detachment who were firing their guns. Gunner Stone's actions during the day, was beyond praise. His actions undoubtedly allowed the guns to be kept in action, holding the enemy at a most crucial moment.
* 'C' Battery.
Additional information:. Bombardier Stone also held the Military Medal (MM). Like his father before him, he was a miner prior to joining the Army. He was one of 13 children, another of his brothers having been killed in action in 1917. He was employed by Rolls-Royce of Derby, where as a young office boy I came across his name whilst doing the records in 1943.. Charles Edwin Stone was responsible for my first interest in the Victoria Cross.
Additional information
Bombardier Stone also held the Military Medal (MM). Like his father before him, he was a miner prior to joining the Army. He was one of 13 children, another of his brothers having been killed in action in 1917. He was employed by Rolls-Royce of Derby, where as a young office boy I came across his name whilst doing the records in 1943.. Charles Edwin Stone was responsible for my first interest in the Victoria Cross.
* 'C' Battery.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: in Belper Cemetery, Derbyshire
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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