.jpg "View original memorial book page")
Regiment: Royal Welch Fus.
Died: 26 October 1914 aged 21 in Belgium. Killed in action at Ypres.
Battle: First Battle of Ypres. Cemetery: Pont Du Hem Mil La Gorgue XI C 1
Born 23rd August 1893. Son of Lt. Col. Henry Jessop Stone (O.M.) and Emma Veronica Stone (nee Cunliffe), Bedfords Lodge, Windsor.
Lower Shell—Army I. School Prefect. House XI Cricket.
R.M.C. Sandhurst.
Great War, 1914. 2nd Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
'He was killed in the trenches on Oct. 26th. His Colonel describes him as "one of the finest young officers I have ever had under my command," and adds "he was absolutely fearless and dashing to a degree. He behaved with exceptional gallantry, and handled his men with great skill on the Marne. I had every intention of sending in a special report on him on account of the excellent work he did on several occasions."' (Malvernian, Dec 1914).
The place where he lost his life was in a trench 700 or 800 yards east of a little farm Cordonnerie opposite the village of Vertouguet and Rouge Baues, from whence the enemy were attacking us in force, their main force being further back at Fromelles, from whence they kept pushing forward fresh reinforcements, acquired our trenches. The line held by their regiment in their trenches was about one-quarter of a mile long and was subjected to constant attacks day and night and was also heavily shelled with heavy guns and field guns.Trench map (from Feb 1917) showing the farm Cardonnerie south west of La Boutillerie (top centre of map)
Modern Satellite map:50.6278,2.8535
Below is an extract from the unit war diary:
'La Boutillerie. In Trenches.
25th October 1914. Attacked at 1.15am & 4am. Both attacks driven off. Heavily shelled all morning & also attacked several times.
Casualties:- Lt E R C Stone killed.'
He is commemorated at Petton Church in Shropshire. His maternal grandparents were Ellis Brooke Cunliffe and Emma Florence Cunliffe (nee Sparling) of Petton Hall.Memorial description at Petton church Photograph of memorial window at Petton church
Inscription on window reads:
'Tears for the dead who shall not come again
Homeward to any shore on any tide.
Tears for the dead: but through that bitter rain,
Shines like an April sun the smile of pride.
Remember Ellis Robert Cunliffe Stone, 2nd Lieut Royal Welsh Fusiliers,
who gave his life for his Country in a Righteous War. October 25th 1914.'
Service record:WO 339/11144
Unit war diary:WO 95/1365/3
