People we've helped - William

William - echoes of war that never fade

A member of the RAF for 37 years, William Stoneman flew many times as a rear gunner during World War II – including covert operations behind enemy lines on D-Day.

On one mission, his plane was severely damaged by enemy fire and forced to ditch, killing a member of the crew. William was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his bravery in helping to rescue other members of the crew.

After so much time close to the deafening noise of the plane engines and guns, William now suffers from deafness and tinnitus. As his condition worsened, he asked the Legion for help.

We provided support to help him cope with his condition and helped him secure the War Disablement Pension he rightfully deserved.

When William’s late wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the Legion helped the couple to claim extra benefits and William’s wife received the expert care that she needed.