Part of the Earley family tree (First cousin, once removed)
Family background
Stanley Joscelyne Earley was born at West Grimstead, near Salisbury on 28 July 1899; he was the younger of two sons born to Alfred George Earley (1869–1960), an agricultural labourer, and his wife Mary Ellen née Hatcher (1872–1945). He was baptised at St John’s Church, West Grimstead on 27 August 1899.
Shortly after his birth, Stanley’s parents moved to Norton Bavant, two miles south-east of Warminster, where Alfred was now employed as a cattle man on a farm. The family only stayed at Norton Bavant for a few years and by the 1911 census were living at Lawrence Weston, then a small hamlet, near Henbury, north-west of Bristol, where Alfred was once again working as a farm labourer. 12-year old Stanley was listed as a scholar.
First World War
In 1917, Stanley was employed as an apprentice boiler maker with John Shearman & Co Limited, ship repairers, of Avonmouth
On 20 January 1917, at Bristol, 17-year old Stanley enlisted into the army. Being too young to fight, he was posted to the Army Reserve as Sapper 332972, Royal Engineers to await mobilisation, while continuing to work for Shearman. On 27 August 1917, Shearman wrote to the army recruiting officer, describing Stanley as a “competent workman”, adding “it is necessary to retain his services in this particular line”.
Despite this plea, Stanley was called up on 5 September 1917 and posted to the Inland Waterways & Docks, Royal Engineers depot, initially at Cleveland Docks in Middlesbrough, before transferring to Richborough Port in Kent on 13 April 1918.
On 22 May 1918, he was admitted to hospital at Sandwich, Kent with bronchitis. He was discharged nine days later, but was back in hospital within a fortnight, this time at Folkestone, suffering from tonsillitis. On 18 June, he was transferred to nearby Shorncliffe Camp with malaria. He was eventually discharged on 11 July 1918.
On 30 August 1918, he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, East Kent Regiment, the Buffs, with regimental number 35755. On 5 March 1919, he was transferred to Class Z Army Reserve and demobilised to his home at Lawrence Weston.
Inter-war years
On demobilisation, Stanley resumed working for Shearman & Co. at Avonmouth Docks, but by mid-1921 he was out of work.
On 12 January 1922, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force, signing on for an initial engagement of six years as an Airman with service No. 351001. In April 1922, he was promoted to Corporal (unpaid), receiving the permanent rank on 11 October.
On 7 August 1922, 23-year old Stanley married 31-year old Annie Gertrude Moss at Holy Trinity Church, Westbury-on-Trym. She was the daughter of Ernest Moss, a gardener, and his wife, Ada. Stanley and Annie had no children.
In the Royal Air Force, Stanley trained as an aircraft engine fitter. He spent a large part of his time in hospital and between November 1923 and March 1925 he was rarely out of hospital. In July 1926, he was transferred to the RAF Reserve and finally discharged on 11 January 1934.
On discharge, he and Annie lived at Fern House in Moorhouse Lane, Hallen a few miles north of Lawrence Weston, where he set up in business as Earley’s Garage, servicing and selling cars and motor bikes.
Second World War
During the Second World War, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a sub-mariner, thus serving in all three of the military services.
In December 1943, he was serving as Engine Room Artificer, 4th Class D/MX. 74987 with HMS Upstart, a U-class submarine launched in November 1942. She had spent most of the first year of her career based in Malta, operating off the south coast of France.
In late December, Stanley was onshore in Malta when he was involved in a serious motor cycle accident. He was taken to the 90th General Hospital at Mtarfa, where he died from multiple injuries on 28 December 1943, aged 44.
He was buried at the Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery. His grave bears the inscription: “Until the day break”.
Probate was granted to his widow, Annie Gertrude Earley of 79 Nibley Road, Shirehampton. Annie never re-married; she survived her husband by nearly 35 years and died at Nibley Road on 15 November 1978. aged 87.
Sources
Ancestry.co.uk:
1901 England Census
1911 England Census
1939 England and Wales Register
Bristol, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938
British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, 1973-1995
Gloucestershire, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1974
UK, British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960
UK, City and County Directories, 1766 – 1946
UK, Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947
UK, Midlands and Various UK Trade Directories, 1770-1941
UK, Royal Air Force Airmen Records, 1918-1940
Wiltshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1922
Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Stanley J. Earley
Find a Grave: Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Stanley J. Earley
Findmypast.co.uk: 1921 Census of England & Wales
Military Images.net: F107 Stanley Joscelyn Earley
Western Daily Press:
25 April 1933: New and Second Hand Car Bargains
30 April 1934: Electrical Goods Wanted
8 November 1935: Machinery etc. Wanted