Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday March 30th, 1917.

"Shot in a Motor Launch
Coalville Soldier's Death
Letters have been sent to Mrs F. Griffiths, of 7, Stone Row, Coalville, notifying the death of her brother, Private Richard Stanley, of the Hussars, which occurred in Mesopotamia, in January.

Captain Blomfield writes, “I am writing to you of the sad death of your brother, who died from wounds received in my motor launch with me when we were ambushed by treacherous Arabs on the Euphrates on New Year’s Day. You probably know that he had latterly been attached to the inland water transport service here, and he had been away from the Hussars for some time. He came to me as my motor launch driver on November 28th last, and had been running my motor launch on the Euphrates ever since. I had grown very fond of him, and we had planned together that some day when the war is over, he would leave the Army and be my chauffeur in England. Alas, fate decreed otherwise. On the morning of January 1st we were attacked unexpectedly by a gang of treacherous Arabs, and he was dangerously wounded in the left side, and a Sepoy with him also was hit. When the launch was nearly surrounded, I managed with two friendly Arabs, to jump into the water and to drag the launch across the river into safety. The launch had 15 bullet holes in her, but she remained afloat. We got your brother safely into hospital, but I am sorry to say there was no hope for him, as the bullet had caused severe internal haemorrhage, and he died at four o’clock on the morning of January 2nd. He was buried at a place called Junction Camp on the Euphrates and I am going to put a cross over his grave. I know how deeply you will feel this, and it was particularly hard after 7 ½ years’ exile from England, which seemed so nearly over. I send you a photograph of your brother, taken in the launch at Basra on December 2nd, just before we went up the river. I cannot tell you how upset I am at losing him. He was one of the best fellows I have ever met.”

Another letter received is from Captain T. R. Bruce, who states that the deceased was a keen boxer, very popular with his comrades, a splendid soldier and absolutely trustworthy, reliable and willing worker. Private Stanley was 25 years of age and had been over seven years in the Army, being in India when war broke out. Before joining the Army he lodged with his sister, Mrs Griffiths, in Mammoth Street, and worked in the Whitwick brickyard, His father was the late Edward Stanley, of Mammoth Street. "

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 20/08/2017