Walter Napleton Stone
Captain, 3rd Battalion. * Royal Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 1186 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain (register: Acting Captain) all Captains →
- Unit
- 3rd Battalion. * Royal Fusiliers all Royal Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 30 November 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 13th February, 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 7th December 1891 at Blackheath, London
- Died
- in action on 30th November 1917 at Moeuvres, near Cambrai,
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- on Cambrai Memorial, France. (Actual burial place unknown)
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
On 30th November, 1917 , whilst in command of a company in an isolated position, 1000 yards to the front of the main line and overlooking the enemy in a position in the Canbrai sector, in France, he observed the enemy preparing for an attack and sent back information to headquarters to this effect. He was ordered to withdraw his company leaving a rearguard as cover. As the enemy attack gathered unexpected momentum, Captain Stone sent back three platoons, staying with the rearguard himself. Standing on the parapet with a telephone, all the time under heavy bombardment, he observed the enemy, sending back valuable information on the situation until the wire was cut on his orders. The reargard was surrounded by the enemy and cut to pieces. Captain Stone was shot through the head as he fought to the last. The accuracy of the information he supplied was invaluable, causing the line to be saved, thus averting a disaster
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
STONE, Walter Napleton. (reg No. 1186).
Captain.* 3rd Battalion. * Royal Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on 13th February, 1918.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 7th December 1891 at Blackheath, London.
Killed in action on 30th November 1917 at Moeuvres, near Cambrai, France.
Memorial on Cambrai Memorial, France. (Actual burial place unknown).
Digest of Citation reads: On 30th November, 1917 , whilst in command of a company in an isolated position, 1000 yards to the front of the main line and overlooking the enemy in a position in the Canbrai sector, in France, he observed the enemy preparing for an attack and sent back information to headquarters to this effect. He was ordered to withdraw his company leaving a rearguard as cover. As the enemy attack gathered unexpected momentum, Captain Stone sent back three platoons, staying with the rearguard himself. Standing on the parapet with a telephone, all the time under heavy bombardment, he observed the enemy, sending back valuable information on the situation until the wire was cut on his orders. The reargard was surrounded by the enemy and cut to pieces. Captain Stone was shot through the head as he fought to the last. The accuracy of the information he supplied was invaluable, causing the line to be saved, thus averting a disaster.
* Lieutenant, acting Captain.
* Attached to 17th Battalion at time of Deed.
* Lieutenant, acting Captain.
* Attached to 17th Battalion at time of Deed.
France.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on Cambrai Memorial, France. (Actual burial place unknown)
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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