ROBERTS, Stanley Arthur
| Service Number: | 4562 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 September 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Norwood, South Australia, 24 November 1893 |
| Home Town: | Norwood (SA), South Australia |
| Schooling: | Wellington Road School, Norwood |
| Occupation: | Iron worker |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 20 August 1916, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" No known grave, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France, Serre Road Cemetery No 2, Beaumont Hamel, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Norwood War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 1916: |
Involvement
AIF WW1, Private, 4562, 10th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Miltiades embarkation_ship_number: A28 public_note: '' |
|
| 7 Feb 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4562, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Miltiades, Adelaide | |
| 20 Aug 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4562, 10th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
Roberts Of Kensington, South Australia
Both Stanley and His brother Richard (Dick) were the great-grandsons of John William Roberts, a successful property developer and founder of the Clayton Weslyan Church in Kensington, South Australia.
Their grandfather, Josiah Willshere Roberts followed on in his father's footsteps.
The sons of John Soames Roberts and his wife Annie Hibben.
It is interesting to note that Dick and Stanley were that close that their enlistment numbers were 4562 (Stanley) and 4563 (Dick), they were as previously noted, both in the same battalion and killed in action on the same day.
Dick and Stanley were among at least 6 of John William Roberts great grandsons to enlist. Clive Roberts (KIA) and his older brother (either Kenelm or Ewart or both?), Edwin Frith Roberts, and his brother Leigh Kingston Roberts, and Leslie Roberts (KIA) all enlisted in WWI.
On the following website, 90% of the Roberts men named were all cousins.
http://www.ww1.sa.gravesecrets.net/ro.html
Submitted 31 July 2015 by Kathie Bezer
Biography
"THE LATE PRIVATES S. A. AND R. L. ROBERTS.
Privates S. A. and R. L. Roberts, who were killed in action in France on August 20, were the eldest and second sons of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Roberts, of Harris Street, Norwood. Both were young men of great promise, and held in highest esteem by their fellows. They enlisted together in September, 1915, and sailed from Australia in February. After serving for some months in Egypt they were transferred to France, where in a sanguinary fight they made the supreme sacrifice. Both were true born sons of Australia and staunch members of the A.N.A. In life the brothers were devoted to each other, and in death they were not divided. They were stirred by a sense of duty that bade them go forth to fight, as they said, for home and mother. Before enlistment, Stan was employed by Mr. T. Dean, of Norwood, and Dick by Mr. R. Gray, Maylands. Their grandfather, Mr. Josiah W. Roberts (a nonagenarian) was one of the pioneers of Kensington, where he settled in the early forties." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 07 Oct 1916 (nla.gov.au)
Pre-World War 1 History
Stanley was born in Norwood, South Australia on the 24th November 1893. He grew up in Harris Street, Norwood where he attended Wellington Road School. After he finished school Stanley worked in Norwood as an Iron Worker. He was a hard working young man. Stanley was very close to his brother, Richard. His parents were John Soames Roberts and Annie Hibben Roberts. Stanley’s Great Grandfather, John William Roberts, was a successful property developer who also founded the Clayton Wesley church in Kensington, SA. Stanley enlisted with his brother, Richard, to join the Australian Army on the 14th September 1915. This was during World War 1. His enlistment number was 4562. According to his Records Certificate, Stanley was 5 feet 10 ½ inches, and his weight was 144 lbs. His complexion was fair with hazel eyes and brown hair. His Religious Denomination was protestant (church of England).
World War 1 History
On the 7th February 1916, Stanley joined the 10th Infantry Battalion WW1 as a Private SN 4562. In February 1916, he sailed from Australia to Egypt where he served for several months. After serving in Egypt, Stanley was transferred to France. He was held in very high regard by his fellow ANZACS and he served together with Richard in the same Battalion. Both Stanley and Richard believed in fighting in honour of their motherland, Australia. Stanley joined from Reinfts France on the the 30th of July 1916. During a blood shed battle in France on the 20th August 1916, Stanley was killed together with his brother, Richard. Stanley was only 22 years of age when he died. Stanley was buried in the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial Cemetary in France. There are also memorials for him at the Adelaide 1 National War Memorial.
Stanley’s service reflected the ANZAC spirit because he fought in honour of his country. He fought with dignity and the true spirit of an Australian soldier. He showed courage and respect for his fellow “mates” from Australia and New Zealand while in service. His courage was evident when he fought on the frontline in France and was killed protecting his country.
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