Friends of Hastings Cemetery


William John Brampton Stone

Private William John Brancton Stone EM D01 was an only son.  His father was a tailor/cutter.


His military career was brief – he enlisted at Chichester on 20th February 1916 in the 3rd Royal Sussex Regiment and died at Newhaven Military hospital on 31st May the same year.  At the time of his enlistment he was articled to a chartered accountant, Ernest E. Fox of Havelock Road.


According to his obituary in the Hastings Observer (June 1916) William attended Hastings Grammar School and left with honours.


He began his working career as a part-time school pupil teacher at St Paul’s School where he served two years.  After passing examinations, he was appointed uncertified teacher at St Mary’s School.  However after less than a year’s service his health broke down and he was forced to resign.  He was listed as a part-time pupil teacher in the 1911 Census when he would have been 18.


He then went to work for the Hastings Insurance Company where it says he became an expert in insurance, coming top in a very stiff national examination and winning the Chairman’s prize. He then resigned to go and train to be a chartered account.


William was well known locally and was a prominent member of the Hastings Cricket Club.  He also helped his father in his work as secretary of the local Foresters’ Society.