Stanley Ernest Airey

Corporal, Royal Field Artillery

Age 15, Class II Middle: 'A fairly well behaved boy.'

Stanley Ernest Airey was 17 years old when he first enlisted in the Army as part of the Territorial Force in February 1909. He lived at 9 Underhill Road, East Dulwich and worked as a warehouseman for his father’s home furnishing business, M. Airey and Co., alongside his cousin. When war broke out in 1914, Stanley had already been a part of the Army’s Territorial Force for seven years, serving with as a Corporal in the Royal Field Artillery. After volunteering for service overseas, he was assigned to the 4^th London (Howitzer) Brigade as part of the 56^th (London) Infantry Division. Stanley saw action with the brigade in France before it was later merged with the newly formed 280^th and 281^st brigades due to a lack of reinforcements. He remained on active service until being discharged in January 1919, ending his wartime service as a Gunner. He served overseas for a total of 20 months and was awarded the Military Medal at the end of the war which recognised the recipient’s gallantry and devotion to duty when under fire in battle on land.