STANLEY ALFRED BALES

Photo courtesy of Judith.

Born: 16th May 1893, at 15, Cornhill, Ipswich.

Baptised on the 14^th July 1893, at St. Mary le Tower Church, Ipswich – family home at 15, Cornhill.

Died: 31st July 1917; age 24; KiA during the first battle of Passchendaele at Poperinghe.

Residence: Baring, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Occupation: a Farm Hand.

Enlistment Details: Location: Grenfell, Saskatchewan; date: 22nd December 1914, age: 21 years & 5 months; religion: CofE. Height: 5ft &9 ins., fair complexion, blue eyes & light hair.

Stanley trained alongside his friend, Henry Iles, at Grenfell, Saskatchewan. They were known as the “Grenfell Twins.” – information courtesy of Judith Silverthorne.

Service:

Arrived in England – 30^th November 1915.

Embarked for France – 8^th March 1916.

Disembarked in Boulogne – 9^th March 1916

Appointed Lance Corporal – in the Field – 7^th October 1916.

Pneumonia – No. 13 Canadian Field Ambulance – 22^nd December 1916.

Awarded one Good Conduct Medal – in the Field – 22^nd December 1916.

Rejoined Unit – in the Field – 24^th December 1916.

Leave of Absence – 14^th January 1917 – 30^th January 1917.

Unit now known as the Canadian Railway Troops, 9^th Battalion – 26^th May 1917.

Promoted Corporal with pay – 25^th June 1917.

Rank: Corporal; Service Number: 115335

Regiment: Canadian Railway Troops, 9th Battalion, 1st Canadian Pioneers.

Memorial Reference:

Panel 32

Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial,

West-Vlaanderen,

Belgium.

Relatives Notified and Address: The only surviving son of Captain F. A. Bales, V.D., and Ellen Mary Bales, of  Auckland House, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.

Brother to FRANK PERCY BALES

CENSUS

1901   Cranmoor House, Hatfield Road, Ipswich.

Stanley was 7 years old and living with his parents & brother.

Frank Alfred Bales, 47, a retired Gun Maker, born Ipswich, Suffolk.

Ellen Mary Bales (nee Bennett), 33, born Ashfield, Suffolk.

Frank Percy Bales, 13, born Ipswich.

1 servant.

1911   1, Neale Street, Ipswich

Stanley was 17, a Grocer’s Assistant and living with his parents & brother.

Frank, 57, a Wine & Spirit Merchant & employer.

Ellen, 43.

1 servant.

IMMIGRATION

Stanley Alfred Bales, age 18 years old, departed from the Port of Liverpool aboard S.S. Virginian. He arrived on the 9th March 1912, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Stanley recorded his religion as CofE and his occupation as a clerk. He wanted to be a farmer as his reason for immigrating to Canada. Next of Kin, Frank Bales, Auckland House, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.

On the 11th April 1916, Stanley wrote his will – he bequeathed the whole of his property and effects to his friend – Miss E. Robertson, of Beaconsfield Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Edith Rose Robertson, born November 1892, Melton, Suffolk, daughter of Arthur Valentine Robertson, a coachbuilder, and Harriet Robertson (nee Rance), 6, Albany Villas, Beaconsfield Road, Woodbridge.

Stanley’s medals were sent to his friend Miss E. Robertson, of Beaconsfield Road, Woodbridge.

Stanley’s Memorial Plaque, dispatched on the 15th August 1922, and the Memorial Scroll, dispatched on the 8th February 1921, were sent to his parents at their home, Auckland House, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.

Stanley is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, and at Northgate High School. Formerly Ipswich Grammar School for Boys. Stanley is also remembered on the Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial, the 1st Pioneer Battalion Nominal Roll, at The Community Hall, Glenavon.

Canadian Railway Troops, 9th Battalion:

http://vimyridgehistory.com/wp-content/uploads/Canadian-Railway-Troops.pdf

https://doingourbit.wordpress.com/2013/12/18/christmas-at-the-front-rupert-henry-vaughan/