William Henry Stoneman, DCM

National School Admission Registers & Log-books 1870-1914.
Joined St. John's School, Plymouth, 22 Mar 1897 as Courtenay Stoneman; added to recorded name (W.H.); born 26 Dec 1887 (?), 34, Tresillian Street, father William.

Served in the 2nd Batallion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 5th Mounted Infantry in South Africa in 1911, Lance-Corporal. Served in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Norfolk Regiment, during WW1, rising to the rank of Sergeant.
He survived the War and was awarded the Victory, British and Star medals and a gallantry award in 1914. His Army No. was 7984 and also 42396. The Star medal was approved in 1917 and awarded to all who had served in Belgium or France between 5th August 1914 (commencement of hostilities) and midnight 22nd/23rd November 1914, the end of the First Battle of Ypres. To qualify for the Victory medal one had to be mobilised in any service and have entered a theatre of war between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918. The British War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire for service in World War I, and was approved in 1919.

Distinguished Conduct Medal Citation

W. H. Stoneman 7984 L./Cpl. W. H. Stoneman, 1st Btn. D.C.L.I. (LG 11 Nov. 1914). For great gallantry at Beaupuits on the 18th October when enemy's fire set alight two ricks, for endeavouring to extinguish flames already showing the enemy the position of batteries' trenches under heavy fire from machine guns. His medals sold at Christies in London in 1992 for £550.

Recorded as Courtney aged 4 years in the Census of 5 Apr 1891 but he should have been shown as William Henry. They are one and the same. United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Register:- 1919. Initiation May 17; Passing Aug 11; Raising Sep 8. Plymouth, aged 33 years, Sergeant.

Courtney was decorated in WW1: A 1914 D.C.M. Group of Four to Sergeant W. H. Stoneman, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (L. Cpl 1/D.C.L.I.); 1914 Star and Bar (Pte); British War and Victory Medals M.I.D. Oakleaf.