George Stone
George Stone’s parents, Charles and Mary Stone, arrived from England in 1857, aboard the "James Fernie". They lived in Brighton, where George was born in 1858.
When George was eight years old, his family, including a brother and sister moved to live in York Street, Mornington.
Charles Stone was employed as a gardener by the Hon. Caleb Joshua Jenner M.L.C., who at the time was the owner of "Beleura".
George also worked as a gardener, for the Rev. James Caldwell at "Glenbank", and it was there he met his wife to be Emily Davenport, who was working as nursemaid to the Caldwell children.
In 1882 he purchased Lot 19 Herbert Street and built a two-roomed cottage there in 1883.
George Stone's House c.1930
The selection of the land was possibly influenced by the Rev. Caldwell, as he had already purchased Lots 20, 21, 22, for the Church of England.
George and Emily married in 1883 and brought up a family of 13 children at Herbert Street. Emily won many prizes at the Mornington Horticultural Show, and at the Red Hill Show.
George built a bridge across the Tanti creek to make getting into town easier, and the Shire subsequently built a new "Stone’s Crossing" in its place.
George was a vestryman at St. Peter’s Church, and is said never to have missed a church service in 40 years. He was also the church gardener.
Stone's bridge c.1984
He had his own lawn mowing business travelling the town on his pony carrying his scythe.
Four of George and Emily’s seven sons volunteered for the First World War, sadly two died 
fighting for the country.
Roy Stone was killed at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915, in the
first wave that went ashore.
Clive Stone was wounded on that day but survived, only to be killed at Bullecourt in May 1917.
Hugh Stone was severely wounded, and spent many months in rehabilitation, and Ted Stone caught
severe Meningitis but lived.
George died in 1938 and Emily in 1955, but three of their children Les, Grace and Emily continued to live
in the cottage until 1976.
The Stone Family
George and Emily Stone and some of their 13 children
Pte. Roy Stone
Private Clive Stone, in a letter to his father,(reported in The Post on 18 June, 1915) wrote about the death of his brother Roy, D Company, 7th Battalion:
"Dad, you can be proud of him, as he died game to the last. He was hit three times before he left the boat and it took three more to stop him. Their boat was one of the first to land and there was hardly a man got on shore without being wounded."
Clive Stone, by then a Sergeant, was killed in action at Bullecourt in May 1917.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Mornington
This stone wall was erected in 1938, to the memory of George Stone, recalling his work as gardener. A small tablet
on the inside west wall marks his faithful services as a warden of the Church over a period of many years.