Stanley Pierce
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Stanley was the son of Timothy George and Mary Ann Pierce (neé Howland). Both his parents were born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, Timothy George Pierce in 1856 and Mary Ann Howland in 1852. They were married in 1876 and had seven children born between 1877 and 1895 who were all born in High Wycombe: Alice, George William, Mary Ann, Margaret Laurie, Elsie Sophia D, Stanley b. 5 May 1892 and Walter Maurice b. 6 August 1895. In 1881 Timothy Pierce, a chair maker, and his wife Mary, a dressmaker/milliner, were living at 68 Easton Street, High Wycombe, with their two children, Alice (3) and George (1). Also in the household was Mary's sister, Lizzie Howland (11). By 1891 they had moved to 48 Oxford Street, High Wycombe. Timothy was now an insurance agent. He and Mary, who was still working as a milliner, now had five children: Alice, George, Mary Ann (8), Margaret (5) and Elsie (6 months). Also in the household was a female general domestic servant. In 1901 Timothy, a commerical clerk, and Mary were living on Hughenden Road (later renamed Queen's Road), High Wycombe. Four of their seven children were in the home on the night of the census: Margaret, Elsie, Stanley (8) and Walter (5). Also in the household were three boarders. Their daughter Alice had married in 1898 and was living in Willesdon. Middlesex, while Mary Ann (18) was living in Chipping Wycombe with her aunt and uncle, Harry and Laura Dean. Their son George has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census. Timothy and Mary were probably at the same address, 1 Garston Villa, in Queen's Road (formerly Hughenden Road) in 1911. Timothy was a commercial traveller in the chair trade. Only three of their seven children were still living at home: Elsie a school teacher, Stanley a railway clerk (GWR) and Walter a solicitor's clerk. Stanley had joined the Great Western Railway as a clerk on 12 August 1907 at the age of 15; he was assigned initially to the passenger booking office at Woburn Green. Alice had married in 1898, Margaret had married in 1910 and was still living in High Wycombe, Mary Ann was a nurse at either a hospital or children's home at Hawkhurst in Kent and George had married in 1906 and was living in Winchester. Stanley's parents were still living at 1 Garston Villa when he was killed in 1916 and continued to do so until Timothy's death in 1934. His mother Mary Ann died in November 1933. His father Timothy died in January the following year in High Wycombe War Memorial Hospital which had been endowed in memory of those from High Wycombe who had died in the war. His brother Walter Maurice joined the Royal Navy at the training establishment, HMS Ganges, on 24 February 1912, but was discharged shore (to 1 Garston Villa) by purchase (£20) on 18 November 1912. During the war, Walter served in the Oxford & Bucks and the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) as a second lieutenant but later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (lieutenant) and then to the RAF on 1 April 1918. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry 'in aerial combat over Queant on 8 August 1917.' He married Muriel E Janes in 1921. One of their sons, Barry Walter Pierce (b. 1922), served as a captain in No. 46 RM Commando and was killed on 13 April 1945; he was buried in Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany. The CWGC record gives the following details of his parents: 'Son of Maj WM Pierce MC Royal Artillery and Junr Cdr ME Pierce Aux. Territorial Service of Woodstock Oxfordshire.'
21st Bn (4th Public Schools) Stanley enlisted in 1915. He was killed on 26 February 1916; he was in the trenches in the early morning and while preparing to throw a bomb was shot in the head by a sniper and killed. Stanley was buried in a churchyard behind the lines. CWGC record - burial in Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Pas de Calais, France (grave ref. J1.3). CWGC - Sescription of cemetery (extract): 'At one time, the village of Cambrin housed brigade headquarters but until the end of the First World War, it was only about 800 metres from the front line trenches. The village contains two cemeteries used for Commonwealth burials; the churchyard extension, taken over from French troops in May 1915, and the Military Cemetery "behind the Mayor's House." The churchyard extension was used for front line burials until February 1917 when it was closed.' CWGC - History of Military Cemetery: 'The village contains two cemeteries used for Commonwealth burials; the churchyard extension, taken over from French troops in May 1915, and the Military Cemetery "behind the Mayor's House." The churchyard extension was used for front line burials until February 1917 when it was closed, but there are three graves of 1918 in the back rows.'(www.cwgc.org) According to a newspaper report of his death, Stanley was within days of gaining a commission.
Stanley is also commemorated on a memorial now in High Wycombe General Hospital, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe. The tablet commemorates the endowment of the High Wycombe and District War Memorial Hospital in memory of those who had died in the the Great War: 'The High Wycombe & District War Memorial Hospital. The Great War 1914-1918. To the glorious memory of the brave men whose names are here recorded who at the call of King and country left all that was dear to them, endured hardship, faced danger and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.’ The names of those who died are listed on a separate tablet. (WMR64020) Bucks. Herald, ‘Killed in Action’, 4 March 1916: ‘Pierce. On Feb,, 26th in action in France, Stanley Pierce, second son of Mr and Mrs TG Pierce,of Queen’s-road, High Wycombe, aged 23 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Report which appeard in the Bucks. Herald on 4 March 1916: ‘High Wycombe. Death of Mr Stanley Pierce in Action’. ‘Deep and sincere sympathy is felf for Mr and Mrs TG Pierce, of Queen’s-road, High Wycombe, and their family, in the terrible blow they have sustained by the death of their second son, Stanley. The deceased was a Private in the Royal Fusiliers, London Public School Corps. It appears from a letter received from Second. Lieut. Walter Pierce – of the Oxford and Bucks LI who, by a coincidence, was drafted to the same division as Stanley, that on Saturday morning about 5.45, his brother Stanley was in a trench, and, being tired of doing nothing, got up to throw a bomb. He was immediately picked out by a sniper, who shot him through the head, killing him instantly. The bomb exploded, blowing off the unfortunate soldier’s right hand and cutting his side. But death occurred before this happened. He was buried in a Churchyard behind the lines at [blank], and a cross telling of the manner of death in the country’s service has been placed at his head. On Thursday evening the parents of the deceased received a kind and touching letter from the Chaplain of the regiment, in the course of which the writer said: ‘It is my very sad duty as Chaplain to inform you that your son, Private Stanley Pierce, of the 21st Royal Fusiliers, has nobly laid down his life in the cause of freedom and the defence of all whom he loved. ’I know this must be a terrible blow to all of you, but it will be gratifying to you to know that death was instantaneous and without pain. I need scarcely assure you of my deepest sympathy in your loss. In touching words of consolation the Chaplain reminds the bereaved that Stanley had lived a good life and died a noble death, for had not Our Master said: ‘Greater love hath no man than this – that he lay down his life for his friends.’ ‘He is now looking forward to the joyous day when those whom he loves will rejoin him behind the veil.’ They would be pleased to know that their son whilst in action had ‘behaved with the utmost gallantry and bravery.’ He had earned (the Chaplain said) the goodwill and respect of all his associates, and his death will be a tremendous blow to his regiment. It was a pathetic coincidence that a quarter of an hour later than the time of his death, Private Pierce had hoped to leave the trenches, and that day he would have received a commission. His brother Walter was expecting to get leave soon after, and had written home, saying he was longing to see his parents and sisters, and hoped to be the bearer of good news of Stanley’s welfare. ‘The late Private Stanley Pierce was an old pupil of Mr RS Downs, whilst he was headmaster of the Church of England Schools at Wycombe. For some considerable time he was employed at the booking office at High Wycombe Station, and afterwards filled posts at other stations on the system, among them West Wycombe, He took a great interest in the work carried on by Mr Harold Nutt, the Brother Superior of St Paul’s Mission in High Wycombe. He had intentions of entering the Church, and went as a student to Kelham Theological College, Newark-on-Trent. He was of a very kindly, amiable and generous disposition, making fast friends wherever he went. He was deeply and devotedly religious, but this did not prevent him, when the call came, from offering his services, and his life, for the sake of his home and country, and in the cause of freedom. The deceased, who was 23 years of age, was a brother of Mrs R Davey [Margaret], of 80, Queen’s Park, Aylesbury.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Timothy George was his legatee. Probate: Pierce Timothy George of Garston Villa Queens-road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire died 9 January 1934 at the High Wycombe War Memorial Hospital High Wycombe Administration (with Will) Oxford 19 April to George William Pierce schoolmaster. Effects £1269 5s. 7d.
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