Thank you to Mike Gibb and Lenka Cathersides for the following research. Thank you to the 59th Squadron archive for their correspondence.
Stanley Franklin Harvey was born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in Bosham, Sussex to farmer George John and Kate Edith (nee Bowles). He was baptised on the 11th of June 1895 in Bosham, Sussex.
His father George John was born about 1866 in Portsmouth, Hampshire to farmer George born about 1846 and Eliza born about 1866, both in Portsea, Hampshire. George John married Kate Edith Bowles in the 4th quarter of 1891 in Havant, Hampshire. His mother Kate was born in the 4th quarter of 1867 in Portsmouth to schoolmaster John born about 1828 in Plumstead, Kent and Ellen born about 1833 in London.
Stanley had four siblings: Phyllis E born about 1895 and Maud Gleeson Harvey born about 1898 in Bosham, Sussex; George born about 1903 and Kate born about 1903 in Southbourne, Sussex.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Inlands, Westbourne, Sussex. George was working as a farmer and Kate was looking after their children Phyllis, Stanley and Maud.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at Elmhurst, Southbourne. George was working as a commercial businessman and Kate was at home looking after their children: grocer’s assistant Stanley, Maud, George and Kate. Kate stated that she had given birth to five children of whom all were alive. The accommodation had six rooms.
Stanley enlisted on the 18th of January 1915 into the Royal Flying Corps. His service number was 3184.
At the time of his enlistment he was working as a motor mechanic. He had brown hair, grey eyes, and a fair complexion. His family lived at 10 Myrtle Road in Dorking.
Stanley Franklin served from 08.02.1915 to 27.09.1916 and again from 14.02.1917 to 21.03.1918 in France.
He was promoted to Corporal on the 1st of March 1918 and became part of the Royal Air Force on the 1st of April 1918. At the time of his death he was attached to the 59th Squadron of the RAF.
“The 59th Squadron was part of the ‘occupation army’ of Germany at the end of the War i.e. 1919. It is the first time we have come across anyone dying during that period. The fact he was in Flanders is unusual as the Squadron was based in Duren, Germany. There is nothing particularly unusual of the war dead including those who died in 1919 as they were still in uniform and for many the War did not finish until the Treaty of Versailles was signed.”
59th Squadron Archive
Stanley Franklin Harvey died of flu on the 27th of March 1919 at No. 55 Casualty Clearing Station in France. He was buried at the Marcinelle New Communal Cemetery in Belgium. His cemetery reference number is: G.284B. The headstone bears the inscription: “A Loving Son and Brother a Noble Disposition Along in our Thoughts”.
He received the British War and Victory medals and the 1914-1915 Star.
Stanley’s father George received £38 and 19s on the 11th of August 1919 and a further £3 and 6d on the 15th of October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
His mother Kate died in 1938 and was buried on the 5th of July 1938 at St Martin’s, Dorking. His father George died in 1945 and was buried on the 5th of November 1945 at St Martin’s, Dorking. They were both living at 10 Myrtle Road.
| Born | Bosham, Sussex | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | George and Kate Harvey of 10, Myrtle Road, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 59th Squadron, R.A.F | |
| Number | 3184 | |
| Date of Death | 27th March 1919 | |
| Place of Death | Casualty Clearing Station 55, Charleroi, France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of influenza | |
| Age | 24 | |
| Cemetery | Marcinelle New Communal Cemetery |
