Name
Gerald Webb Elphinstone Stone
1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/10/1918
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
5942(*2)
London Regiment *1
13th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TIDWORTH MILITARY CEMETERY
D. 17.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Gerald was born in 1889 in Hampstead, London and baptised ‘Gerald Webb Elphinstone Stone’ on 6 February 1890 in the Parish of Emmanuel, Middlesex. His parents were William Harry Elphinstone (sometimes Henry Elphinstone Stone) and Kate Edith Stone (née Dening), they married on 26 September 1883 in Trull, Somerset.
His father became a Freemason in the ‘Electric Lodge, Hampton Court in 1890.
In 1891 the family were living at 24 Greencroft Gardens, Hampstead. :London. Present were both parents: William (35) and Kate (35), with William working as a solicitor. Their children were: William E E (6), Mary E E (5) and Gerald E (1). Also present were a visitor, Elizabeth Knight (44), Hetty Veal (25) lady companion and two domestic servants.
By 1901 the family had moved to 64 Aberdere Gardens, Hampstead, London. Both parents were still present with William now recorded as a solicitor and employer. Their children were those listed above plus Harry E (10) and Arthur E (5). Two domestic servants were present.
The 1911 census is confusing, the family were living at 11 Fordwych Road, Brondesbury, Hampstead, London NW. Gerald’s older brother William was listed as head of household, which consisted of siblings: William (26), Edith Mary (25), Gerald, 21 and builder’s clerk, Harry (19) and Arthur (15), also a boarder Maurice F Bechtles (20).
He was probably listed as head because their mother was visiting Manor House, Square, Stow On The Wold, Glos. Where the Dening household lived – her maiden name and possibly the house of her brother. The census recorded that she had been married for 27 years with 5 children, all living. We have yet to find Gerald’s father in this census. However, he was found in 1921 living at 32 Balcombe Street, Marylebone, Middlesex, working as a Clerk in Income Tax Department, employed by Cox & Co, Bankers. Curiously he was listed as a widower, but Kate (64) was living 11 Bancroft, Hitchin and working as a cook for her daughter and son-in-law, Francis Walter and Edith May Jones – a mystery yet to be solved.
His connection to Hitchin seems tenuous, but it seems, as described above, that his mother moved here and died here in 1935.
Officially he was recorded as living in Brondesbury, Middx. when he enlisted in Whitehall, Middx..
Wartime Service
Gerald held Service Number 5942 in the London Regiment and was later posted to the 13th Kensington Battalion of the Labour Corps where he held the Service Number 502719 and later the 651st Agricultural Coy. Labour Corps. As a result it is difficult to find out more about he service. Usually men were transferred to the Labour Corps because they no longer fit for fighting service through wounding or illness. He died in England of pneumonia.
He was buried in Row D, Grave 17 of the Tidworth Military Cemetery near Andover on the Hants/Wilts border in England.
Additional Information
After his death £33 10s 2d pay owing was calculated, however owing to a charge £7 8s and 9d was authorised to go to his father, William Harry Elphinstone, on 22 January 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £3 5s was authorised to be paid to him on 3 February 1919.
His pension cards record his mother, as his dependant, originally living at Manor House, Square, Stow On The Wold, Glos. She was awarded a pension of 6s 6d a week from 13 May 1919. Later her address was amended to 11 Bancroft, Hitchin.
His brother Arthur also served.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London) Bn. London Regiment (Kensington).
*2 If transferred to a Labour Battalion. men are usually commemorated under their original service number as is the case with Gerald.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
