Francis E.'s Story.
The Weaverham St. Mary's R.o.H. records a Stanley C.C., the Weaverham “Fallen” Memorial and St. Mary’s Memorial records a Stanley F.E. Serg’t. (Is there a C.C. Stanley or should the R.o.H. be F.E. Stanley?)
Guardian Friday 23rd Nov. 1917
“The death has taken place in action of Sergeant Francis E. Stanley of the Manchester Regiment (Service No 16560) whose home is at the Laurels, Acton Bridge. The news reached his mother when she was on a visit to London and received a letter from the Quartermaster of her son’s battalion. This was about a fortnight ago, and since she has had an official intimation that her son had been killed on Oct. 26th.
Before the war Sergeant Stanley was travelling in America and when the call was made for volunteers he at once returned home and enlisted. He was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. T. Stanley and his father is doing Government work in Africa. To add to the family’s patriotic record one brother is missing from the American Merchant navy and it is feared that his boat has been either sunk or captured. Another is serving with the Canadians and his youngest brother is in training with the R.A.M.C. (Royal Army Medical Corps.) His sister is working in a munitions factory. Sergeant Stanley had been wounded once before and had also suffered from fever. He was 24 years of age.”
C.W.G.C. Remembered with Honour – Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery, Belgium. Francis E. Stanley, Service No 16560; Serjeant, “A” Coy. 20th Bn. Manchester Regiment, died 26th Oct. 1917 aged 24. Son of Henry E. T. and Jane Ellen Stanley, of 73 West Parade, Rhyl, Flints. Returned from America to enlist.
N.A.M.C. have 13 medal cards for lads named Francis Stanley including a Francis E. Stanley with the Manchester Regiment, Service No 16560 with the Rank of Acting Serjeant. Awarded the British, Victory and 15 Star medals. Theatre of War and Date of Entry not addressed.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission state that the family live at of 73 West Parade Rhyl. The Guardian states his parents live at the Laurels, Acton Bridge. F. E. Stanley was born in Liverpool. He was killed in action and his theatre of war was France & Flanders.
Researched Bob Heaton