Researching Christopher Stone

He was the youngest son of Eton College's assistant master and Stonehouse preparatory school's founder Edward Daniel Stone. Christopher Stone was educated at Eton College and served in the Royal Fusiliers. In 1906 Stone published a book of Sea songs and ballads and in 1923 he wrote the history of his old regiment. He became the London editor of The Gramophone, a magazine started by his brother-in-law Compton Mackenzie.

Stone approached the BBC himself with the idea for a record programme, which the corporation initially dismissed. Stone managed to convince them though and on 7 July 1927 he started playing records on air. His relaxed, conversational style was exceptional at a time when most of the BBC's presentation was extremely formal, and his programmes became highly popular as a result. He wore a dinner jacket and tie when he presented.

In 1934 Stone joined the commercial station Radio Luxembourg (for 5,000 pounds a year) and was barred by the BBC in consequence. He wrote a column reviewing new popular records for the Sunday Referee newspaper and appeared in advertisements for Bush radio sets. In 1937, as "Uncle Chris", he presented the first daily children's programme on commercial radio, Kiddies Quarter Hour on Radio Lyons. Stone later rejoined the BBC and caused a major row in 1941. On 11 November he wished King Victor Emmanuel of Italy a happy birthday on air, adding "I don't think any of us wish him anything but good, poor soul." This good wish towards the head of a state Britain was at war with at the time led to the sacking of the BBC's Senior Controller of Programmes and tighter government control over all broadcasts.

Stone was an avid record collector; in the mid-1930s he already owned over 12,000. When he turned 75 in 1957 the magazine Melody Maker praised his pioneering work: "Everyone who has written, produced or compered a gramophone programme should salute the founder of his trade."

Stone made his county cricket debut for Bedfordshire in the 1974 Minor Counties Championship against Cambridgeshire. Stone played 8 Minor Counties matches for Bedfordshire in the 1974 season, with his final match for the county coming against Buckinghamshire.

Stone made his debut for Dorset in the 1982 Minor Counties Championship against Cornwall. From 1982 to 1990 Stone represented Dorset in 76 Minor Counties matches, with his final match coming against Buckinghamshire.

Stone also played 5 List-A cricket matches for Dorset, with his debut List-A match coming against Essex in the 1st round of the 1983 NatWest Trophy. Stone played 4 further List-A matches for Dorset, with his final List-A match for the county coming in the 1st round of the 1990 NatWest Trophy against Glamorgan.