Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Fred Griffin, born in the April quarter of 1876 in Anstey, Leicestershire (son of Eliza Griffin, 1844) and Mary Anne Ellen Griffin (nee Smith, married in the January quarter of 1896 in Leicester), born in the October quarter of 1878 in Wigston, Leicestershire (daughter of George Smith, 1847-1935 and Sarah Jane Craxford, 1852-1917). Stanley Craxford was born in the July quarter of 1896 in Anstey.
In March 1901 Stanley was residing at 56, Junction Road, Wigston Magna, this being the family home of his maternal grandfather, George Smith, a railway goods guard, born 1847 in Wolvey, Warwickshire (son of John Smith, 1826-1886 and Sarah Alcoat, 1825-1905) and his wife Sarah Jane Smith (nee Craxford, married on the 7th July 1872 in St. George’s Church, Leicester), born 1853 in Gretton, Northamptonshire (daughter of Joseph Craxford, 1829-1882 and Susannah Freeman, 1829-1896) and their children, Emma Jane, a hosiery trade machinist, born on the 13th March 1879, Sarah Louisa, a hosiery trade machinist, born on the 27th May 1882 and Celia Agnes, a hosiery trade machinist, born on the 2nd June 1884, all the children were born in Wigston Magna.
In April 1911 Stanley was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing at 56, Junction Road, Wigston Magna, this being the family home of his maternal grandfather, George Smith, a railway goods guard, his wife Sarah Jane Smith and their daughter Celia, a hosiery trade worker, also residing with the family was a granddaughter, Constance Winifred Harrington, born 1906 in Leicester.
Stanley had a younger brother, Archibald Frederick, born in the October quarter of 1897 in Anstey.
Stanley enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 14612. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 18 years 360 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery warehouseman.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 8th September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Leicester, Leicestershire, declared age as 18 years 360 days, trade or occupation as hosiery warehouseman, that he was 5-feet 8 inches in height, weighed 122 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches, his physical development was described as good, pulse rate, 70, his vision was described as R.E.-V=D6. L.E.-V=D6. Enlisted at [not recorded] on the [not recorded]. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 14612.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 18 years 360 days, height 5-feet 8 inches weight 122 lbs, chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches his complexion was described as fair, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 8th September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his grandfather, George Smith and grandmother Sarah Jane Smith, 56, Junction Road, Great Wigston, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 8/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 8/9/14.
Posted. To 9th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/9/14.
Deprived of pay for absence.
Admitted. To hospital, Perham Down Camp, tonsilitis. 8/7/15.
Discharged. From hospital, Perham Down Camp. 12/7/15.
Admitted. To B-?- -?-, diphtheria. 12/7/15.
Discharged. From hospital. 9/8/15.
Posted. To Barnard Castle. 17/8/15.
Posted. To 10th (Reserve) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/8/15.
Posted. To Rugeley Camp. 2/11/15.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/6/16.
Joined. 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 9/8/16.
Admitted. To 20th Brigade Field Ambulance. In the Field.
Died. In 20th Field Ambulance, enteric fever. In the Field. 6/9/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 8/9/14 – 6/6/16. 1 year 272 days.
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. 7/6/16 – 6/9/16. 92 days
Total Service. 1 year 364 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
On the 20th January 1919 Stanley’s grandmother, Sarah J. Smith of 56, Junction Road, Wigston Magna, Leicester was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of four shillings, commensurate on the 3rd April 1917. On the 6th November 1918, this was awarded for life.
[recognitum XXIX-II-MMXXIV]