Private Stanley stone

On his 18 birthday in 1952, Stanley Stone volunteered for the Parachute Regiment as part of his National Service.

He was immediately posted to Omagh, Co Tyrone for 6 weeks basic training with the 27th (Inniskilling) of Foot.

Having never seen a rifle before, let alone patrolled with a live round in the freezing cold, his time in Northern Ireland was a rite of passage.

After his time in NI, to qualify for the Parachute Regiment, Stan then successfully completed the three-week P (Pegasus) Company fitness tests based out of Aldershot.

Whilst the course was tough, Stan’s tough East End of London upbringing served him well, especially his passion for Boxing and his involvement in the infamous Upper North Street Boxing club of Poplar, London.

Stan then completed parachute Jump training at Abingdon (2 balloon jumps, one night jump and 6 planes jumps at 1,000, 800 and 600 ft which the latter was the operational jump altitude).

After gaining his Para wings, Stan was then posted to the Northern Canal Zone Egypt as part of C Company 1 PARA.

His journey to Egypt was via the Empire Halladale troop ship finally docking after 2 weeks at Port Said and recalls being greeted by the largest Johnny Walker statue he had ever seen; then it was an 80-mile journey by road to the 1 Para Garrison at Moascar on the West Bank of the Suez Canal near Ismalliah. Based in North Camp Stan would regularly patrol Nafisha bridge and the surrounding area, as part of C Company’s Internal Security (IS) duties.

In addition to Stan being selected to be batman to Lieut McGonigal, he also fought for the 1 Para boxing team. 

Stan also represented 1 PARA in the Coronation proceedings of HM Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953 and took part in the Feu de Joie rifle salute. He was also part of the parade at Tenth Anniversary of the Freedom of Paris on the 25 August 1954.

Stan recalls flying back to Aldershot in Avro York after this, as part of the advanced party for 1 PARA returning from Egypt. One of his tasks was to keep the boiler alight in the Officer’s mess, which on this one special occasion he failed to do. As you can imagine, his commanding Officer was not expecting the shock of cold water, and words were had.

Stan 'demobbed' from The Regiment in November 1954.