Distinguished Conduct Medal : Sergeant R G Stone, 22 Battalion, AIF

Place Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli, Anzac Area (Gallipoli), Lone Pine Area, Johnston's Jolly
Accession Number REL/13214.001
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Award
Physical description Silver
Maker Unknown
Place made United Kingdom
Date made c 1915
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

History / Summary

Robert George Stone was born at Sydney, New South Wales in 1891. He was serving in the militia with the Australian Garrison Artillery and working as a grazier when he enlisted in the Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force (AN & MEF) on 11 August 1914. After his service in New Britain he was discharged on 4 March 1915, and like many veterans of the AN & MEF, volunteered for service in the AIF.

Stone re-enlisted on 30 April 1915, and was assigned to 22 Battalion as a Private with the service number 1149. He embarked with his unit aboard HMAT Ulysses (A38) on 10 May 1915 for Egypt, where he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 19 August. Stone arrived at Gallipoli with his unit during the first weeks of September, and the battalion took up position in the ANZAC line opposite Johnston's Jolly. Stone was promoted to Corporal on 13 October, and to Lance Sergeant on 17 October.

On 29 October the 4th Field Company Engineers detonated a mine in a tunnel designated as C2, in 22 Battalion's part of the line. As the mine failed to break through into open air, poisonous gasses that resulted from the explosion remained in the tunnel. Lieutenant Frederick Bowra was lowered down a shaft into the tunnel to inspect it immediately after the explosion, and when he did not return Lieutenant Edwin Bazeley and Sapper Frederick Currington went to his aid. Like Bowra, they too were overcome by gas, as was Lieutenant Charles Thom who attempted a rescue on his own. The toxic gasses were then detected rising up the shaft. Stone was one of several men who participated in a rescue operation, and for this and his other actions he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).

The citation for the DCM reads as follows: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during rescue operations near Anzac, Gallipoli Peninsula, on 29th October, 1915, when he was one of the first party to enter the tunnel and bring out two men who were gassed at the mouth of the shaft, and rope two other men at the foot of the shaft.'

Five men died as a consequence of this incident, and Stone was one of several men who were decorated for their actions in rescue attempts. He was hospitalised for several days with asphyxiation, rejoining his unit on 30 October.

22 Battalion were soon withdrawn from Gallipoli. After rest and training in Egypt it arrived in France on 26 March 1916 for service on the Western Front. Its first major action was at Pozieres as part of 2 Division. On 27 July 1 Division, who had captured the village, were relieved by 2 Division, and it was on this day that Stone was killed. He was initially buried in an isolated grave near Pozieres. After the Armistice in 1918 his body was exhumed and reinterred at Pozieres British Cemetery at Oviller-La-Boisselle.