Stanley Priestley Slack
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Stanley Priestley was the son of William and Rosanna Slack (née Priestley). His father William was born in Cromwell, Newark, in 1858 and his mother Rosanna was born in 1856 at Thimbleby, Lincolnshire. They were married in 1879 (reg. Horncastle) and had seven children: Lilian b. Normanton 1880 and Rose Ellen (Helen) b. 1881 (reg. J/F/M 1882), George William b. 1883, Harry b. 1885 (reg. J/F/M 1886), Albert John b. 1888, Stanley Priestley b. 8 December 1890 and Kathleen Mary birth registered 1893 (J/F/M) who were born in Newark. Lilian was baptised at Cromwell St Giles and her siblings were baptised at Newark St Leonard, Stanley on 23 May 1893. In 1881 William, an agricultural labourer, his wife and daughter Lilian were living in Normanton, Nottinghamshire. However, by 1891 William, a labourer (glue works), and Rosanna had moved to Quibell's Cottages, Kiln Lane, Newark. They now had six children: Lilian, Rose, George, Harry, Albert and Stanley. William and Rosanna were still living at the same address when their youngest daughter, Kathleen, was born two years later. However, by 1901 William, his wife and four of their children, Lilian a dressmaker, Albert, Stanley and Kathleen, were living on Church Street, East Markham, with William's older brother, George Slack, who was head of household. Both brothers were farmers. Also in the household on the night of the census was a visitor, George Brittin, who married the eldest daughter, Lilian, the following year. The second daughter, Rose, was living in Headingly, Leeds, where she was a general domestic servant in the household of William Laycock and his family. Harry had joined the Royal Navy in October 1899 but George has not yet been traced on the census. The eldest daughter, Lilian Brittin, died in 1908 and in 1911 her only child, Winifred Mary (b. 1907), was living with her grandparents who were still at Manor Farm, Church Street, East Markham. William was listed as head of household although his brother George was still living with the family and working on the farm. Only Albert, an engine fitter, Stanley, who was also working on the farm, and Kathleen who worked in the dairy, were still living with their parents. Rose had married William Memmott in 1905 and they and their three children were living in Askham, near Retford. Harry, who had transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve in 1907, had married Emma Batty in 1908 and was living in Retford. George has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. Rosanne died at Manor Farm in May 1916. Her husband William, may have died in 1934. Stanley's brother George William served in the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force during the war under an alias (Charles Thomas Holt). He was killed in 1917. (See 'Extra information'). Their brother Harry had joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 3 October 1899 (206736) and enlisted on a 12 year continuous service engagement from 17 November 1901, his eighteenth birthday. He was advanced Ordinary Seamen on 17 November 1901 and to Able Seaman on 22 January 1903. He was discharged shore on 2 February 1907, transferring to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 3 February (Portsmouth B203) to serve to 16 November 1913. Harry either extended his RFR service and was mobilised on the outbreak of war or volunteered on the outbreak of war as he served in the RN from 2 August 1914, joining HMS Galatea in 19 November 1914. He served in HMS Galatea to 29 January 1917 and was then drafted to HMS Excellent on 30 January 1917. He was invalided (bronchitis) from the RN on 20 September 1917. Harry qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Albert, who in 1911 was working as an engine fitter, was engaged on 'war work' in Nottingham in 1916.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Stanley Priestley Slack enlisted on 8 November 1915. He was drafted to BEF France (Pioneer) on 25 September 1916. He joined Anson Battalion RND on 26 November 1916, serving until 13 March the following year when he required medical treatment for a carbuncle (neck). He rejoined the Battalion on 24 May 1915. Stanley was killed while standing to in the front line, one of three men killed by a round from an enemy trench mortar. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France (Bay 1) He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Anson Battalion War Diary 28/5/17: 'At night the Bn. was relieved by the Howe Bn. - Two hours previous to relief a shell fell in 'D' Company front causing us a loss of six killed & three wounded.'
Stanley's brother, George William, served as Lieutenant Charles Thomas Holt with the 49th Training Squadron, Royal Air Force. He was killed in an aeroplane accident on 28 June 1918 and was buried at Doncaster (Hyde Park) Cemetery (grave ref: MX399). (See record on this Roll of Honour) Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 23 May 1916: ‘Death of Mrs Slack. We regret to record the death on Sunday morning last of a highly respected parishioner, in the person of Mrs Slack, wife of Mr W Slack, of the Manor Farm, East Markham. The deceased , who suffered from heart failure, had been in failing health for some time, and although a great sufferer, had borne her affliction with remarkable fortitude, and awaited the inevitable with calmness and resignation. The deceased leaves a husband, four sons, and two daughters to mourn her loss. Three of her sons are serving the King, viz: Sergt W Slack RFC; Harry Slack HMS Galatea, Stanley Slack, HMS ---; and the other son, A [Albert] Slack, is on war work at Nottingham. With the exception of Mr Harry Slack, who was unable to obtain leave, the whole of the family were present at the end. The funeral took place on Wednesday. The vicar officiated and the chief mourners were: Mr W Slack (husband) … Sergt GW Slack (son), Mrs [Rose] Memmott (daughter), Mr AJ Slack (son), Miss [Kathleen] Slack (daughter), Mr SP Slack RND, Blandford (son) [and other family members Slack/Priestley].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Retford Times, 15 June 1917: 'AB Stanley Priestley Slack. Mr W Slack of the Manor Farm, East Markham has received intimation that his youngest son, Stanley Priestley Slack, A.B., Royal Naval Division, has made the great sacrifice, being killed at the front by a shell from an enemy trench mortar. The dead hero was well known in Retford and district. He was employed by Mr Bamforth, Carolgate, up to the time of joining in November 1915. He was drafted to France in September 1916. Much sympathy is felt for Mr Slack in his loss. He has two other sons serving – one the well-known flying man [George William] and the second son [Harry] on HMS Galaton [Galatea]. The third son [Albert] is on national work at Colwick [Nottingham]. A memorial service will be held in the church on Sunday. The Chaplin, writing to Mr Slack says:- “It is with deepest regret that I write to you on the death of your son, S P Slack, AB. He was standing to the front line when he and two of his comrades were killed by a shell from an enemy trench mortar. It was our last hour in the trenches. He was a brave lad and gave his all for his country and his God and he will assuredly reap his due reward. Please accept my sincere sympathy.” Sub Lieut Bedford writes, “It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son. He was killed in the front line trenches on Monday night last by a shell from an enemy trench mortar, He always carried out his duties in a brave and noble manner. He was popular amongst his comrades and his loss is keenly felt by all who knew him. I trust you may find some consolation in knowing that he died a glorious and honoured death, willingly laying down his life in the just cause for which we are fighting.'
