WW1 John (Jack) Fairburn Stone (4289, 13/148)

John (Jack) Fairburn Stone was born 31st July 1891 in Parnell, Auckland to Charles John Stone (1866-1941) and Mabel Stone (nee Fairburn) (1862-1903). Jack was one of seven children and a grandson of Captain James Stone buried in 1885 in Symonds Street Cemetery, Auckland. Jack was first cousin to Aldred Lawry, father of Hal Lawry of Remuera.

Jack went to Parnell District School, then attended King’s College from 1906 to 1908. He was also in the Officer Training Corps for four years.

Before he enlisted, Jack was a Clerk with the publication ‘People and Pastimes’ published by Wilson Publishing Company, in Customs Street, Auckland. At enlistment on 8 September 1914, his address was care of, Mrs Ware, Portland Road, Remuera. On 16 October 1914 he sailed from New Zealand and arrived at Suez, Egypt on 3 December 1914. He was a Trooper, with the Auckland Mounted Rifles, Main Body.[1]

Jack was granted an Imperial Commission on 19 April 1915, which he relinquished three months later to join the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).  His second enlistment was on 13 October 1915, as a Private with the AIF, 19^th Battalion, 10^th Reinforcement.

The AIF 3rd Division had been training in Britain and reached the Somme, France in December 1916.  They went into the front-line near Houplines not far from Armentières. where the Division suffered the terrible winter conditions. It was there on 23 December 1916, that Jack was fatally wounded.[2]

Jack was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal (1914-1920), and the Victory Medal. He is buried at Bernafay Wood British Cemetery (Row J, Grave No. 57), Montauban, France.

There are memorials to remember him at:

St Mary’s Cathedral Church. Parnell, Auckland
Parnell District School, 48 St Stephens Ave, Parnell, Auckland
King’s College Roll of Honour.

G Ralph
May 2020