Mike Stone: A man destined to go far who never lost his sense of service

Michael (Mike) Stone died at the age of 98, having lived life very much to the full.

Educated at Worcester Royal Grammar School, his wartime exploits saw him on Sword beach on D-Day (for which he was awarded the Légion d’honneur); he was in the Territorial Army from 1941-55; learned to fly and flew as air observation pilot; and commanded Q Battery, 267 Field Regiment Royal Artillery, in Malvern.

Following the war, his work as civil engineer saw him employed in in Worcestershire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, before the more exotic destinations of Libya, Morocco, French Dahomey [part of present-day Benin], Ivory Coast, Malawi, Indonesia, Sudan, Peru, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

Mike finally found himself back in Devon before retirement, but as daughter Susan Lochner says of her father, even then he never put his feet up, “he worked as proof reader/editor for book publishers. Always kept busy!”

Susan said: “He enjoyed all kinds of social gatherings, travel and DIY. He loved life and lived it to the full. He had a confident and robust personality, but was kind and always ready to help others.

“And he was a great believer in the importance of a sense of duty and service. He enjoyed travel and was good at languages (French, German, Spanish and some Arabic).”

Mike was generous with his time and liked to be involved in many different activities: he was former president of the Malvern branch of the Royal Artillery Association, chairman of the Aircrew Association, and president of Old Elizabethans (RGS Worcester and Alice Ottley).

Mike Stone as a Second Lieutenant at the age of 19 in 1941. Image from In Dedication To A Future World by Mark Rogers

Mike was always likely to go far, if his school reports from 1929-39 were anything to go by [information provided by Scott MacDonald, Foundation Director at RGS Worcester]:

Character & Conduct: ‘Excellent. Sound influence, should go far.’

Debating Society & Dramatic Society: ‘Strong active membership’

Officer Training Corp: ‘Corporal, Very keen NCO, School Shooting VIII 1939’

School Games: ‘2nd XV 1937-38 and 1938-39, 1st XV 1939 Winter Term. Colours, Good wing forward; very hard working’

Yewle House: ‘An outstanding House Captain: as leader on the field won when not expected to win: in organisation self-reliant and reliable. Colours for Rugby and Athletics.’

Scott said: “To put this in context, praise was not given freely or generously on record cards so it is well-earned.

“The other thing that I will always associate with Mike is the reprinting of Mark Rogers book in 2014, In Dedication To A Future World, sharing information about those RGS alumni who are commemorated at the school on the war memorials in Perrins Hall.

“Mike wrote an introduction which was fitting because it was his influence that persuaded the Association’s Committee to fund the project which saw a copy being gifted to every pupil in 2014 and then to each new pupil on November 11 2015-2018.”

Mike revisiting Sword Beach in 2014. Image from In Dedication To A Future World by Mark Rogers

The Worcester RGS Alumni Facebook page added: “Mike inspired RGS pupils when sharing his experiences of landing on Sword Beach on D-Day.

“He attended many school and alumni events where his company was enjoyed by former pupils of all eras.

“Mike will be greatly missed by many alumni and friends from across the Worcester community.”

Mike leaves behind his partner of 20 years, Pat Lloyd and her family; daughter Susan Lochner, granddaughters Charlotte Stone and Harriet Harper and great-granddaughter Elsie Harper; grandson Gareth Davies and great-grandchildren Owain and Ashlee.

His funeral takes place today (Wednesday, April 7) at St George’s CE Church, Barbourne.