GERALD CECIL WILLIAM STONE

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Photograph courtesy of Gerald

Born: 26th March 1917, Rolls Cottage, Northwood Road, Porchfield, Isle of Wight.

Died: 27th August 1942; age: 23; at Rheine, Steinfurt, Germany.

Residence: The Krael, Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich.

Mentioned in Despatches – Flight Sergeant – 14th March 1941.

Missions flown with 156 Squadron:

8th July 1942 – Wilhelmshaven

6th August 1942 – Duisberg

9th August 1942 – Osnabruck

11th August 1942 – Mainz

27th August 1942 – Kassel.

Rank: Pilot Officer/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; Service Number 49988.

Regiment: Royal Air Force, 156 Squadron.

                  Photograph of B-Flight of 115 Squadron in April 1940

The crew’s bodies were exhumed after the war by a war-grave investigation team to identify them and then were reburied in a joint grave in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

Collective Grave 24.C.12 – 18.

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery,

Germany.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Leonard William & Daisy Stone, of ‘The Kraal’ Tuddenham St. Martin, Suffolk; husband of Mary Mather Stone, of Newtownards, County Down, Ireland.

Father: Leonard William Stone, born June 1886, Eyke, Suffolk, a Bricklayer, and served with the Royal Engineer, ranked a Sapper, 17844.

Mother: Daisy Dorothy Stone (nee Saint), born January 1897, Piddletrenthide, Dorest.

CENSUS

1921   back of the Post Office, Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.

Gerald was 4 years & 3 months old and lived with his parents.

Leonard Stone, 34 years & 11 months old, a Bricklayer for Messrs. Sadler & Sons – Builders, of Ipswich.

Daisy Stone, 24 years & 6 months old, Home Duties.

Gerald was educated at Ipswich School.

On the 6th January 1940, at Strean Presbyterian Church, Newtownards, Ireland, Gerald married Mary Mather (Mamie) Whitaker, born June 1913, Newtownards, County Down, Ireland – daughter of Keighley Whitaker and Maggie Whitaker (nee McLean), of Victoria Avenue, Newtownards.

27th August 1942

Aircraft: Vickers Wellington III; serial number: X3367; based: R.A.F. Warboys, Cambridgeshire; mission to bomb the Fiesler liaison aircraft factory at Kassel, Germany. The aircraft took off at 22:26hrs. As the aircraft approached Kassel, they were attacked by a BF110 nightfighter piloted by the German ace Hauptmann Wolfgang Thimming. X3367 was shot down at 23:25hrs and crashed into the Laurenz textile factory at Epe, Gronau, killing everyone on board.

Crew:

Gilbert Hebblethwaite; Sergeant/Pilot; age 24; R.A.F.V.R.

Michael Gordon Savage; Sergeant/Pilot; age 20; R.A.F.V.R.

Frederick Valentine Herbert Shepherd; Sergeant/Tail Air Gunner; age 22; R.A.F. On his 13th mission.

Peter Hayes; Pilot Officer/Observer; age 20; R.N.Z.A.F.

Gerald is also remembered on the Ipswich School Chapel war memorial, at Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk and at Newtownards, County Down, Ireland.

Young Gerald with his father Leonard and paternal uncle Stanley Stone. Photograph courtesy of Ruth.