Stanley's Story.
Birkenhead News 12 May 1915A Sad Coincidence
LOCAL SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS.
Last Saturday, as our readers will remember, we published a letter from Sergt. Jack Roberts, of the 4th King’s Liverpool, an extract of which was as follows :- “We made an advance against the German lines on Tuesday, and I am extremely sorry to say that poor Stan was hit in the head, and owing to a terribly heavy fire we had to leave him till dark.”
On Saturday Private Stanley Richards’ (who is the “Stan” above referred to) mother, who resides at 28, Elgin Street, Birkenhead, received the following telegram from the Officer Commanding the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London :- “Regret to inform you that No. 8553 Private Stanley Richards, 4th Liverpool Regiment, is seriously wounded, and should advise you to come and see him as soon as possible.” She immediately went to the London Hospital, and there found that Stanley was suffering from serious wounds in the head received at the battle of Hill 60, and still unconscious, and he passed away about one hour after her arrival.
Deceased who was born and brought up in Birkenhead, and had just attained his 24th birthday, was educated in Holy Trinity Schools, and afterwards worked at the G.W.R. Railway, and at the docks.
In a letter Sergeant Roberts wrote to Mrs. Richards, he states that Stanley, a great friend of his had been shot in the back of the head. “We were advancing across an open space, and it rained bullets. Stan was just on my right, but I did not see him fall. After storming the German position we were coming back, and a friend said to me ‘Here is someone wounded.’ It was Stanley. He was moaning and unconscious, and when we turned him over he came to and said ‘Oh, my head.’ We got a stretcher and carried him to the first-aid post.”
Private Stanley Richards, who was well-known in this district, will be mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives, and we extend our sympathy to Mrs. Richards in her sad trial.
The remains of the deceased soldier are being brought to Birkenhead, and they will be interred with military honours tomorrow (Thursday) at Flaybrick Hill, at 3.30 p.m.
Birkenhead News 15th May 1915
MILITARY FUNERAL AT FLAYBRICK.
Interment of Pte. Stanley Richards
The funeral of Private Stanley Richards, aged 24, son of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Richards, 28 Elgin Street, who was a member of the 4th King’s Liverpool Regiment, took place on Thursday at Flaybrick Hill Cemetery. An account of the young soldier’s death, which took place at a London military hospital, was given in Wednesday’s “News” together with a portrait. The utmost sympathy is felt for the parents. Mr. Thomas Richards is very well known, and has received many assurances of sympathy.
The band of the 4th Cheshires escorted the coffin to the cemetery, at which many hundreds of people had assembled. The coffin, which was born by six of the deceased soldier’s comrades, was draped with the Union Jack, and bore several of his accoutrements. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. Llewellyn Roberts, of Brunswick Wesleyan Church, after which three volleys were fired over the grave and the “Last Post” sounded.
Stanley's grave in Flaybrick Cemetery, Birkenhead.
Photograph, grave photograph and newspaper article by Chris Booth