Geoffrey Stone was born on April 10, 1925, the son of George William Stone and Ellen Enfield (nee Butler) Stone, of 165 South Mitton Street, Sarnia. His parents, George and Enfield, were both born in England. When Geoffrey was younger, his father George abandoned the family, leaving his mother Ellen to raise and to support the children. Geoffrey had one brother and three sisters, who at the time of Geoffrey’s death were Mrs. R. Barnes, of 500 George Street, Sarnia; Mrs. J. Kerwin; and Miss Beverley Stone (Hache) at home in Sarnia. Brother George Ronald who was employed on the Polymer Corporation construction prior to enlisting in October of 1942, would also serve, becoming a Guardsman with the Canadian Infantry. In late-August of 1944, Ellen would receive a telegram from Ottawa informing her that her son, Guardsman George Ronald Stone, was wounded on August 14, on active service in France. The message also stated that further details as to the nature and the extent of the wounds would be forwarded as soon as they were ascertained. Under three months later, Ellen would receive another telegram from Ottawa, this one with information on her other son, Geoffrey William Stone. When she received that telegram, son George Ronald was still in a British hospital recovering from his wounds.
Geoffrey William Stone was very active in athletics, and he loved to play hockey. He was an excellent student, graduating from Sarnia Collegiate, and was a member of the air cadets. When Geoffrey graduated from Sarnia Collegiate, he immediately wanted to enlist in the RCAF; however, he was not the legal age to do so. His mother supported and respected his decision, so he lied about his age so that he could enlist. He got his wish and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force enlisting in November of 1942 at No. 9 Recruiting Centre in London, Ontario. In late September of 1943, while stationed at No. 6 E.F.T.S., Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Geoffrey would return to Sarnia on a short 3-day leave to visit his family and friends. When Geoffrey returned to Sarnia, he accompanied the body of Sarnian LAC Leonard Raymond Meere, who had been killed in a flying accident at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (included in this Project). In January of 1944, after graduating as an air gunner at Macdonald, Manitoba, Geoffrey would return to Sarnia on furlough to visit his family and friends. Geoffrey Stone would leave for overseas in late March 1944, arriving on April 1st of 1944, when he was just nineteen years old. While overseas in Holland, he met a special lady, and they planned to be married after he returned; however, this was not to happen.
Geoffrey became a member of an RCAF crew flying a Halifax aircraft HX356. The flying crew of Sgt. Geoffrey Stone, along with P/O Clarence Britton, F/Sgt. Gerald Patterson, F/O William Cook, F/Sgt. Bill Freeman and F/O Andrew Sharp had received an award as “Best Crew” against 13 other crews, during their training course that concluded in July 1944. Geoffrey and Clarence Britton (of Windsor), who was three years older than Geoffrey and had been in the RCAF since May 1942, became best friends while serving together. Clarence’s mother had hoped that once the war was over, the boys would come to Windsor for a visit. Geoffrey became a member of RCAF #158 Squadron “Strength In Unity”, attaining the rank of Flight Sergeant – Air Gunner. He had been promoted to the rank of flight sergeant shortly before his death, but his letters home to his mother had not revealed to her whether he was serving in a bomber or a fighter squadron.
On October 28, 1944, Geoffrey was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant, but in his letters home to his family, he had not revealed whether he was serving in a bomber or a fighter. Geoffrey Stone along with the rest of his crew were posted to RAF Squadron #158 on November 3, 1944. Five days later, on November 8, 1944, at 8:17 pm, their Halifax Mark III Bomber HX356, bearing the name and noseart “Goofy’s Gift” lifted off from Lissett, East Yorkshire, U.K.. The crew was on a night bombing training flight, heading for the local bombing ranges, probably their last training flight before regular operational bombing duties. Two to three minutes after take-off, after climbing slowly to 400 feet, the aircraft went into a shallow dive and crashed, two miles west of the runway, killing all six on board instantaneously by the force of the impact. Perishing with Flight Sergeant-Air Gunner Geoffrey Stone were his best friend P/O. Clarence W. Britton; F/S.s W.M. Freeman and G.W.H. Patterson; F/O.s Andrew Sharp (of Point Edward, Ontario), and W.W. Cook; and one RAF member of the crew. Geoffrey Stone, who had been overseas for only seven months, was initially listed as, Killed in flying accident, overseas (England).
On the morning of November 13, 1944, Ellen Enfield Stone in Sarnia would receive a letter from her son Geoffrey. Only a few hours later, she would receive the following telegram from the director of records at Ottawa informing her that her son, Flight Sergeant Geoffrey William Stone, has been killed in action overseas while serving with the R.C.A.F. The message also promised that further particulars would be forwarded as they become available. Not long after, she would receive another telegram from the R.C.A.F. Casualites Officer:
Mrs. George Stone,
Deeply regret to advise that your son R two nought five six five six sergeant Geoffrey William Stone was killed on active service overseas November eighth stop his funeral takes place at 10.30 am November thirteenth at Regional cemetery Harrogate Yorkshire England stop please accept my profound sympathy stop letter follows.
RCAF Casualties Officer
Nineteen year-old Geoffrey Stone, and the rest of the Halifax bomber crew are buried at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Geoffrey Stone is buried in Section H. Row B. Grave 14. In mid-November of 1944, a memorial service to honour Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Stone was held during a morning service in St. George’s Church, Sarnia.
On February 13, 1945, Geoffrey’s mother received another letter from the RCAF Casualty Officer, which read as follows:
Dear Mrs. Stone,
I have been directed to inform you that your son, Geoffrey William Stone, has been promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant with effect from October 28th, 1944. May I again express my deepest sympathy to you and the members of your family in the loss of your son whose qualities and ability have thus been recognized.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, M, N, R, 2C, 2D