William Frederick `` Bill '' Stone ( born 23 September 1900 - 10 January 2009 ) was a British veteran of World War I who served in the Royal Navy . William Frederick `` Bill '' Stone ( 23 September 1900 -- 10 January 2009 ) was one of the last five First World War veterans who served in the United Kingdom 's armed forces and one of the last two seamen worldwide , along with Claude Choules .