Henry Stone

[manpolb58]

Hello I am a new member to your group.My connection to the Manchester Regiment is that my Maternal Grandfather Henry Stone(s) fought in the Boer War and was at the siege of Ladysmith. 

[harribobs]

Hiya Manpolb!

welcome to the group and I hope you enjoy it!

i'd love to hear about Henry

cheers

chris

[harribobs]

henry was in the first battalion by the look of it A coy?

[manpolb58]

I understand that we have an expert on the Boer War among us.I would be grateful if he/she could let me have info about the First Battalion that was at the siege of Ladysmith and also at the relief of Mafeking.

[Robert Bonner]

1st Manchesters were present throughout the siege of Ladysmith but NOT at Mafeking.

[harribobs]

this is a link to the main site with the 1st battalions actions in the Boer War

http://www.themanchesters.org/south%20africa.htm

[ladysmith]

The Queen's South Africa Medal roll for the 1st Battalion shows 4304 Henry Stones (with an 's') entitled to the medal with clasps Defence of Ladysmith and Belfast. He was probably entitled to the King's South Africa Medal too but I don't have that roll.

David

[Bob.NB]

Henry Stone - born about September 1875 in the parish of St James Macclesfield.
Enlisted 3rd Militia Battn Lancashire Regiment as a boy before enlisting in 1st Battn Manchester Regiment on 12 September 1894 at Oldham - his trade was given as a spinner. He signed on for 12 years - 7 with the colours and 5 in the reserve. Pte Henry Stones was mentioned in Sir George White's despatch of 23rd March 1900, possibly for the defence of Ceasar's Camp, where the Manchesters won two VCs.
Although the 1st Battn left South Africa for Singapore in March 1903, Pte Stones set sail for the UK on 27 Sept 1902 and was demobilised to the army reserve at the depot at Ashton Under Lyne on 5 Oct 1902 before being finally discharged on 11 Sept 1906 having served his 12 years.
Entitled to Queens South Africa Medal bars -"Defence of Ladysmith" & "Belfast" plus the Kings South Africa medal with the normal two bars.
See WO97/6008.

[tonyrod]

THE CHRONICLE AND PHOTOS,from BRIAN TURNER also a grandson of  HENRY STONES.

THE CHRONICLE Nov 13, 1965
one old soldier who whould have been at the war memorial for the Remembrance Service this week, if he had been fit enough,is HENRY STONES of
45 NAPIER STREET EAST , WHO AT 93, IS OLDHAMS  oldest war veteran, he;s pictured
here showing his medals to his youngest great grandchild MARTIN TURNER, OF HEYSIDE, aged 21 months.
MR. STONES joined the 63rd MANCHESTER REGIMENT at 18 and served in INDIA.MALTA,GIBRALTER AND South Africa, where he disembarked at Durban in 1894 and served right through the Boer War.
He was there at the siege of Ladysmith for which he as two medals.
He and his wife, now 86 celebrated their diamond wedding two years ago.
For 40 years he was a firebeater at Platt Brothers works, retiring 20 years ago
( 1945 ) at the age of 73. BIRTH  ABT 1872,

 the two photos, i have a funny feeling about  the one below   ,that  someone will know who;s who ??

[Bob.NB]

4304 Pte Stone(s) was mentioned in the despatch of Sir George White of 23rd March 1900. A total of 14 men of the Manchester Regiment were so mentioned, including Ptes Scott VC and Pitts VC. The three sergeants mentioned were awarded Distinguished Conduct Medals but Pte Stones and the others received no further recognition for their gallantry.
Bob B