Friends

Of

Hastings

Cemetery

William John Brampton Stone

Included on the inscription on the headstone on the previous page is
“The Following Lines Were Found with His Papers.

My Life is a Brief, Brief Thing,
I am Here for a Little Space
But While I Stay I would Like If I May
To Brighten and Better the Place”

Private William John Brampton Stone was the only son of William John and Sarah Stone, (also recorded on the tomb) of 138, Braybrooke Rd., Hastings.

His military career was brief – he enlisted at Chichester on 20th February 1916 in the 3rd Royal Sussex Regiment and died, aged 23, at Newhaven Military hospital on 31st May the same year.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 03 June 1916

DEATH OF PRIVATE W. J. STONE

   Sincere sympathy will extended to Mr. and Mrs. Stone, of 138, Braybrooke-road. in the great loss they have sustained by the death of their son, Private W. J. Stone, 3rd Royal Sussex, from pneumonia at Newhaven, on Wednesday morning.

   

   Pte. Stone was well-known locally, and attended the Hastings Grammar School. He left the school with honours and obtained an appointment under the Hastings Insurance Commitee.  After some  time he resigned and was articled to Mr. Ernest E. Fox. chartered accountant in Havelock-road.

 

   He was a prominent member of the Hastings Cricket Club and greatly assisted his father in his work as secretary of the Foresters Society.  He was an expert in insurance and came out top of all England in one very stiff examination in this subject, at the same time winning the Chairman's prize.  

   Mr. Stone started life a pupil teacher at St  Paul’s School, and served two years.  After passing examinations he was appointed an uncertificated teacher at St. Mary's School.  After nine or ten months' service here his health broke down, and he was compelled to resign.

 The body was brought to Hastings on Thursday and the interment will take place at the Borough Cemetery.