Lloyd, SGT Stanley George

Stanley George Lloyd (1890-?), letter carrier and soldier, was born in Essex, England, son of Arthur Lloyd. It is unknown when he came to Australia. At the outbreak of the war, he was working as a letter carrier and lived in West Leederville.

Stanley enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 14th of October 1915 at the age of 25. He was sent to a non-commissioned officer school and graduated in February 1916 with the rank of corporal. Stanley was then posted to A Company, 44th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service in June 1916 and arrived at the front lines in November 1916. On the 27th of January 1917, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. After 7 months service in France, Stanley was sent to England in May 1917 in order to train soldiers in trench warfare. He acted in this position for 8 months until December 1917.

Stanley saw action in all of the 44th Battalion’s battles throughout 1918, including the German Spring Offensive, Hamel, Amiens and breaching the Hindenburg Line. At the conclusion of the war, he again became a military instructor. During the war, Stanley had fought in 9 battles and spent 485 days in the trenches. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Active Service Badge, 2 Good Conduct Stripes and 3 Long Service Stripes. He was one of only a handful of soldiers who did not suffer any wounds, injuries or sickness during his service.

Stanley decided not to return home to Australia and instead settled in Kent, England, which is where our knowledge of his story ends.

*Stanley was Severely reprimanded by the battalion CO for prejudice of military discipline in June 1916.