Stanley was born in 1923 and lived all his life in Birmingham. He was educated at Handsworth Grammer School for Boys in Grove Lane. On leaving school he joined the GEC Witton as an Engineering Apprentice. Twelve months later, for him, as for many young boys at that time, there was a greater challenge to face. In 1941 aged 18 Stan broke his apprenticeship to enlist in the RAF. Breaking an apprenticeship brought its own problems but on passing the entrance examination he was given rank and number (AC2 1581129) on deferred service for five months. All being well he would be allowed to complete his apprenticeship after the war. Arriving at ACRO (Aircrew Receiving Centre) at Lords Cricket Ground he was registered, photographed and given his identity papers, kitted out and eventually posted to Babbacombe for three months training. There followed four months at No.1 School Signals, Cranwell and finally Canada for 12 months continuation of training on Ansons and Bolingbrokes. Returning to England they were sent to Halfpenny Green AFU to adjust to flying in British weather conditions.
There followed three months at Husband Bosworth OTU on Wellingtons, Chedborough Heavy Conversion Unit on heavy bombers (Stirlings) before No 3 Lancaster Finishing School and then they were posted to 90 Squadron, Tuddenham.
They were immediately sent home on leave as a new Squadron was being formed and on his return he joined the newly established 186; Squadron 3 Group Lancaster XYK NN720, which became known to the crew as "Kautious Katie".
October 13. 1944, they had their initial round England flight and the next day they were fully operational having been briefed for a daylight attack on Duisburg. The raid lasted four hours, fifty minutes and on their return to base they were informed they were to return again at 10.50 that night.
Extracts from Bomber Command Diaries by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt.
"Aircraft of Bomber Command took off soon after light on 14 October 1944. 1013 aircraft, 519 Lancaster’s, 474 Halifaxes, and 20 Mosquitoes despatched with RAF fighters providing escort. 14 aircraft were lost 13 Lancaster’s, 1 Halifax.”
As Stan said "That was only the first day". Altogether Stan was to take part in 31 Missions with only minor damage to the starboard wing of Kautious Katie.
On his return to "Civi Street" Stanley completed his apprenticeship and began his career in engineering. He met his wife Audrey and they were married at Saint Barnabas Church, Erdington in 1954.
They lived a happy life together in their home in Kingsbury Road, Erdington. Sadly Stanley passed away in 2012 aged 89.
Stanley will be remembered by us all as one of the very few surviving wartime Bomber Crew Members who contributed so much towards the War Effort and will be greatly missed by his Family.
There followed three months at Husband Bosworth OTU on Wellingtons, Chedborough Heavy Conversion Unit on heavy bombers (Stirlings) before No 3 Lancaster Finishing School and then they were posted to 90 Squadron, Tuddenham. 
October 13. 1944, they had their initial round England flight and the next day they were fully operational having been briefed for a daylight attack on Duisburg. The raid lasted four hours, fifty minutes and on their return to base they were informed they were to return again at 10.50 that night.
As Stan said "That was only the first day". Altogether Stan was to take part in 31 Missions with only minor damage to the starboard wing of Kautious Katie.