Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Stanley James Roberts was born on 20th August 1887 in Dorking, Surrey to labourer Matthew James and charwoman Mary Ann (nee Sherlock). He was baptised on 1st May 1888 at St Martin’s church in Dorking. At the time of the baptism the family lived at Archway Place in Dorking.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 9 Archway Place in Dorking. Matthew was working as a general labourer and Mary was looking after their children: Stanley, Charles and Gertrude. The household further comprised of Matthew’s daughter Bertha and mother in law the widowed Hannah Sherlock.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family were still at at 9 Archway Place. The widowed Mary was working as a charwoman, and of her children: Stanley was working as a general errand boy, Charles and Gertrude were at school. The household further comprised of Mary’s grandson Thomas and her mother Hannah. Stanley’s father Matthew was dead.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family had not moved away from 9 Archway Place. The family comprised of Mary, her children: carman (laundry) Stanley and general domestic servant Gertrude and Mary’s grandson Thomas. Thomas considered Mary Ann to be his mother. The household further comprised of boarders: groom (gentleman’s stable) Albert Elms, tunnel borer (timber yard) William Elms and three visitors: carman (laundry) William Couch, Mrs Jenkins and her daughter Gertrude Jenkins. Mary Roberts stated that she had given birth to three children. The accommodation had five rooms.
Stanley James Roberts married Lily Bicknell on 15th December 1913 at St Martin’s Church. At the time of the marriage Stanley was working as a motor conductor. Lily Bicknell lived at 77 Orchard Road in Dorking.
Stanley Roberts enlisted in Acton into the 7th Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment. Later he was became part of the 2nd Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment. He was a Corporal with the regimental number 22423.
He was killed in an action on or since 13th November 1916 at the Battle of the Ancre, Somme during the attack on a German trench called Serre. At the end of the Battle, the 2nd Battalion suffered great losses: 17 officers and men were killed, 94 wounded and 261 missing.
Stanley Roberts is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in Somme, France on Pier and Face 1C and 2A.
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
Stanley’s wife Lily received £3, 16s and 1d on 23rd March 1918 and a further £4, 10s on 13th October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects. She was living at 48 Lower Wood Street in Woolwich, London.
Roberts Family History
Stanley’s father Matthew was born about 1857 in Winfrith Newburgh, Dorset to labourer John, born about 1816 and Mary, born about 1815, both in Winfrith. Stanley’s mother Mary Ann was born in the 3rd quarter of 1855 in Westcott, Surrey to bricklayer’s labourer Henry and Hannah, born about 1822 in Abinger, Surrey. Matthew and Mary married on 10th April 1887 in Dorking.
Stanley had two siblings: Charles born on 26th April 1889 and Gertrude born on 5th March 1891, both in Dorking. Stanley also had one half-sister. Bertha, who was born about 1877 in Westcott to Matthew Roberts.
Bicknell Family History
Lily Bicknell was born in the 2nd quarter of 1891 in Dorking to saddler and harness maker Harry, born about 1854 in Bognor, Sussex and Annie, born about 1851 in Dorking. At the time of the 1911 Census, Lily was housemaid of timber merchant Philip George Dodd at Trenython, Harrow Road West, Dorking.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | James and Mary Roberts of 9 Archway Terrace, Dorking | |
| Husband of | Lily Roberts of 48, Lower Wood Street, Woolwich, London | |
| Enlisted | Acton | |
| Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment | |
| Number | 22423 | |
| Date of Death | 13th November 1916 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 29 | |
| Memorial | Thiepval Memorial, France |
