Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the South Staffordshire area who died during the two World Wars.
John Jefford Stones was born in Brewood in 1879. He was the son of John Jefford Stones, a bricklayer, and his wife Elizabeth. In 1881 the family lived in Newport Road but by 1891 they had moved to Orams Lane where they were still living in 1911. In 1901 John junior was working as a general labourer but in 1911 he was a gardener. According to information supplied to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, John junior had served during the South African Campaign (the Boer War).
John must have rejoined the army at the outbreak of war because he went to France in November 1914 with the 1st Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment. During his time with the regiment it was involved in some of the major actions of the war including Ypres 1914, Loos 1915 and the Somme 1916. At some point John was taken prisoner. He died on 13th November 1917 whilst still a POW and is buried in Kortrijk (St Jan) Communal Cemetery, Belgium.
Private John Jefford Stones, 10265 South Staffordshire Regiment, was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1914/15 Star.
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg.