Stephen Herbert Stone

Story:
Stephen Herbert Stone (known as Herbert) was born on 8th November, 1891 at Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised there on 20th December, 1891. He was the son of Stephen Stone, a General Labourer, and Martha Stone (nee Hayward). His mother died in 1898 and was buried at Motcombe on 5th January, 1898. The family lived at Bittles Green, Motcombe. On 15th October 1909 Herbert sailed on the SS Virginian from Liverpool to Montreal, Canada. His father died in 1912. Stephen enlisted at Niagra Camp, Ontario, Canada, on 10th June, 1915, as a Private in the 73rd Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Service No. 408902). He described himself as a Labourer on enlistment and gave his sister, Mrs. B. Clarke of Motcombe, as his next of kin. He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals. He was killed in action in France on 15th February 1917 and was buried at Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-Au-Bois, Pas de Calais, France (grave id. VII.B.6). (This cemetery is particularly associated with the Canadian Forces who had there headquarters nearby.) He is remembered on the Motcombe War Memorial, Dorset.