Military History

Stanley is listed as being killed in action on 4 June 1916 near Arras. The 15th Battalion war diary for that day is self-explanatory and transcribed below.

Arras – 4/6/16: In trenches K1 front line: Situation normal during morning.

4pm: enemy commenced intense bombardment on front line and supports. Special marks being made of certain points in our trenches, with the result of completely isolating that portion of the front line held by B Coy, i.e. central section of K1 sub-section. Telephone communication was entirely cut off between our front line & Battn HQ. Bombardment ceased shortly before 7pm.

B Coy, HQ & other dug outs were reported smashed in & the Officers (subsequently found to be Capt A.h. Tatlow, Lt J.C. Clarkins & Lt Maddocks) and a good number of NCO’s & men (number unknown) were buried beneath the debris. Working parties commenced clearing the trenches etc & about 9pm a fresh bombardment commenced with the same intensity as before. Telephone communications, although attempted, had not been restored.

Our artillery, which had only engaged the heavies during the afternoon now replied very effectively on the enemy trenches, subsequently it appeared that between 500 & 600 of the enemy were engaged in a raid on a large scale. The number that actually entered the remnants of our trenches (the section occupied by B Coy) is unknown, but owing to our weak defences caused by casualties earlier in the day & quantities of arms & equipment that had been buried, the enemy succeeded in entering this portion of the trench and bombed the sentries and remaining dug-outs.

A & C Coy’s kept up a very heavy rifle fire & no footing was gained in their section. The enemy retired but must have suffered very heavy casualties owing to our artillery barrage.

Shortly before 11pm the artillery of both sides ceased and runners were dispatched with instructions and for information. Capt R.I. Gough as 2^nd in Command made a tour of the trenches as far as possible.

Relief of Battalion in front line by 2/KOSB’s. The relief was considerably delayed owing to casualties received by 2/KOSB on the St Pol Road and later the difficultly of approaching the front line owing to the artillery fire and the obstructed trenches.

Officer Casualties: 3 killed and 2 wounded. Other ranks not given.

Arras – 5/6/1916 – 4am: relief completed, battalion marched back into Arras where it was billeted for the day.