SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Stanley was born in Spratton on 14 March 1891, the son of Edward Manning from Spratton, a farm labourer, and his wife, Kate, from the small village of Great Easton, Leicestershire.  When he left school Stanley found a job as an under-gardener at Spratton Hall. By the time he was 20 Stanley’s mother had died and the family were living in one of Lord Erskine’s cottages in Manor Road, Spratton. There were three brothers in the family of seven – George, Henry Stanley and Edward. George and Stanley both fought in the First World War and returned home safely. 

Stanley enlisted in 1915 and was sent overseas with the British Expeditionary Force on 28 July 1915 serving with the 92nd Field Company, Royal Engineers in France and Flanders.  The 92nd Field Company was attached to the 18th (Eastern) Division and was involved in many battles in France and Flanders throughout 1916 to 1918. Stanley was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He died in June 1973 aged 82, recorded in the Brixworth district.