Private 12054 Eustace Charles Stanley

Killed in Action on Wednesday, 5th July 1916, age 18.
Commemorated on Pier and Face 7 B of Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

8th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment. 51st Brigade of 17th Division.

Son of Mr Eustace Charles Stanley and Mrs Elizabeth Stanley.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Wolverhampton, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 14th July 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library, and Salem Chapel memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1554004/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Eustace Charles Stanley registered March Qtr 1898 in West Bromwich.

1901 Census
51 Ballfields, Tipton, Staffs.
Eustace Charles Stanley (26, Forgeman - Roller, born Tipton), His wife Elizabeth (28, born Tipton), and their two sons Eustace C. (3, born Tipton) and William H. (1, born Tipton).

1911 Census
28 Railway Street, Horseley Heath, Tipton, Staffs.
Eustace Charles Stanley (36, Forge Roller, born Tipton), his wife Elizabeth (33, born Tipton) and their five children: Eustace Charles (13, Errand Boy, born Tipton), William Henry (11, Errand Boy for baker, born Tipton), George Harry (9, born Tipton), Thomas Alfred (6, born Tipton), Lilian Millicent (4, born Tipton).

Personal Data

None Available.

Action resulting in his death

The 8th Battalion South Staffs, in 17th (Northern) Division, did not attack on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July, but came into action the next day when they attacked and took Fricourt. This is commemorated in Fricourt by the naming of "Rue du Major Raper" after the senior officer who lead the attack. Following the success of capturing Fricourt, the advance continued slowly northwards towards Contalmaison, with numerous attacks on Quadrangle Support, just south of Contalmaison.

On the 5th July, the 8th South Staffs took part in a successful attack on Quadrangle Support. The Germans shelled the South Staffs positions throughout the day, and one shell landed during the relief of the 8th South Staffs which "knocked out 20 men". Eight men of the 8th South staffs were killed on 5th July 1916, including Eustace Stanley who has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Newspaper Cuttings

Birmingham Daily Gazette July 29th 1916
CASUALTY LISTS.
The following casualties amongst warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are reported under various dates:
Killed.
S. Staffords- Stanley, 1204, E.C., (Tipton).