Bill Stone, one of Britain's last surviving World War I veterans, died Saturday. He was 108.

[Faygo Kid]

LONDON (AP) -- Bill Stone, one of Britain's last surviving World War I veterans, died Saturday. He was 108.

The Ministry of Defense said Stone died from a chest infection.

Stone is the last known veteran in Britain to have fought in both World War I and World War II. He was one of just three World War I survivors who took part in last year's services to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I.

William Stone was born in Devon, in southwest England, on September 23, 1900, the 10th of 14 children. He followed his three older brothers into the Royal Navy on his 18th birthday -- he had wanted to join when he was 15, but his father refused to sign his papers. He joined the coal-fired battle cruiser HMS Tiger just weeks before the Allies declared victory. He stayed with the Royal Navy after the end of the war, sailing all over the world, from Cape Town, South Africa, to Jakarta, Indonesia.
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I just find this extraordinary. His memories were very different than ours. RIP, Bill. What a life. I predict that by the end of this year, all the WWI vets will be gone. Everywhere.

[Skittles]

1. same age my English grandfather would have been

yes indeed

[rockymountaindem]

2. Sad

One of the world's most significant events is passing from the horizon of living memory. I hope they all have found peace.

[sarge43]

3. Rest in peace, sailor.

[LeftishBrit]

4. RIP. An amazing story.