STANLEY DALLEY

Lance Corporal Stanley Dalley was killed in action on 5 April 1918. Stanley Miles Clifford Dalley was born in Ashburton before his family moved to their home at 39 Winter's Road, Papanui, opposite Papanui School. Leaving his job as a fireman for New Zealand Railways, he enlisted in March 1916 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Canterbury Infantry Regiment. Not a model soldier at first, he was fined 20 shillings for breaking away from guard duty in Cape Town in July 1916 while en route to Devonport. He was a reinforcement for losses sustained by the Canterbury Battalion after the Flers battle in September 1916. His initiation to front line military service was mixed. In December during a kit inspection, it was found that he lost a field dressing, for which he was fined. Later that month, he paraded late for a working party and was awarded seven days CB. Three weeks later, he was evacuated to St Omer suffering from mumps. After a month he rejoined his unit, was detached to the Divisional Signal School for a time, then after surviving the battle of Broodseinde was fortunate enough to be sent to England on leave and thus avoid Passchendaele. He returned to his unit at the end of October 1917, was promoted to Lance Corporal to replace the Passchendaele losses, and then suffered more ill health with scabies and an abscess to the right knee. He recovered in time to join his unit for the move to the Amiens area in March, was killed in action near Le Signy Farm and is buried at the Auchonvillers Military Cemetery. He is commemorated on a plque in St Giles Presbyterian Church in Papanui (see below).

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