Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The real name of Private Frederick Stapleton was Victor Charles Stone.

Victor Charles Stone was born in Hertfordshire, England on 23rd December 1897. His parents divorced when he was a young child. He immigrated to Australia with his father, step-mother and siblings circa 1910.

Victor enlisted in Bundaberg, Queensland on the 12th September, 1916 under the name Frederick Stapleton. Stapleton had been Victor's mother's maiden name, while Frederick was the name of a relative on his maternal side.

The reason for Victor enlisting under an alias may be that his father was also serving in the war, and had not wanted him to enlist. Victor was 18 at the time of enlistment but put is age down as 19. Although you were allowed to enlist at 18, you could not be sent overseas until you were 19.

Australian War Memorial - 1st WW Embarkment Roll Private Frederick Stapleton (alias) 2981 Commenced 12/09/1916 Embarked 29/10/1916, Brisbane Qld Aust. HMAT Marathon. 52 infantry Battalion 2-9 Reinforcements (April 1916-Jan1917).

Victor served in France, during which he was gassed and sustained a shot that resulted in permanent damage to his arm and elbow. He recounted a story where after sustaining a bullet wound, he lay in the field for 'some time' before he could be reached. He recalled that he was lucky due to a combination of cold conditions and a slow bleed.

Due to injuries sustained, Victor was discharged as medically unfit for service on 7th February, 1918. He returned to Australia.

Although Victor went on to marry and raise a family, the injuries resulted in Victor being an invalid with reduced health and reoccurring/ ongoing issues for the rest of his life.

Victor Stone died 20th July 1973.