27/02/2001

I recall telling Ian Morris last year about my intention of writing an article for an association, which I am a member of, because I felt that Armed Merchant Cruisers didn’t, in my opinion, get enough publicity. It was always the same old battleships and aircraft carriers, but AMC’s never seem to get much of a mention. By an uncanny coincidence the ship, HMS India, not only has it’s own exhibition being planned but has it’s own website. 

My great uncle was Robert Benjamin Stone who was a naval reserve serving on India when she was sunk. He worked in the engine room as an artificer his RNR number was 121EC. Sadly he was killed and went down with the ship, as far as I know. He was one of four brothers, one of which was my grandfather, and was killed just 6 days after his younger brother Thomas was killed in the Army. As he was an RNR it is believed that he may have served on India before the war but I have not been able to confirm that. I don’t have any photo’s of him either so if [anyone] come[s] across any I would be grateful for a copy.

As more and more people like myself, Michael and Ian, come together, and I am sure they will, I would be interested in learning if any of their ancestors where friends of my great uncle.

I was interested to learn that the ships cook was F. J. Stone. In researching the family tree it has been mentioned that there were four brothers, but the youngest is a bit of a mystery. I have been unable to find any information about him. There is a slim possibility that F. J. Stone could be him. The Stone family lived in the Durham area and it is quite feasible that the brothers joined P&O together. One never knows. 

John Stone.