Thank you to Patricia Brazier for the following research.
Stanley was born in the December quarter of 1884 in Surrey. His parents are Thomas and Sophia (nee Willis).
In the 1891 census, the family are living in Ash in Surrey. Thomas, his father is a bricklayer. Stanley, now 6 years old, has two sisters, Eva aged 2 and Catherine who is 6 months old.
In 1901, the family are still living in Ash. Stanley is now 16 and employed as a bricklayers labourer. He now has three more sisters, Agnes Blanche born 1895, Bessie born 1898 and Annie Isabel born in 1899.
On 5th March 1905, at the parish church of Ash, a child with the name of Evelyn Minna was baptised. Stanley is named as her father, his occupation is now a plumber and he is living in Ash. Her mother is Evelyn Minna Gardner. Evelyn Minna Snr married William Hammond in 1907.
In 1905-07 the Surrey electoral registers show that Stanley is renting one room on the first floor of his parents’ house in Elm Cottages, Guildford Road in Ash for 5 shillings per week.
In the 1911 census Stanley’s parents are still living at Elm Cottages in Guildford Road. Stanley is no longer living with them, and is boarding with a family in Brighton; he is employed as a plumber, he has a wife, and has been married for three years.
Stanley enlisted into the Army Reserve in December 1915. At the time he was working as a Plumber for Stone & Turner Agricultural Engineers in Dorking. At a Tribunal on 22nd May 1916, Mr Turner asked whether Stanley’s military service could be delayed as he was the only plumber and sanitary engineer that they had left in their employ. His request was denied.
Stanley’s medal card shows that he served with the Royal Scots then the Essex Regiment and finally with the Royal Engineers.
The War Office Daily List of casualties dated September 28th 1918, states that Royal Engineers Sapper S F Deedman of Dorking had been killed in action.
Stanley died on 30th August 1918. He is buried in the Adanac Military Cemetery near Miraumont in France. His parents or any relatives are not mentioned on his commonwealth war graves plaque. His war gratuity was sent to Edith, no surname or relationship was mentioned.
Stanley’s name appears on a memorial at the TA Depot in Failsworth, Manchester. This memorial lists all members of the East Lancashire Division of the Royal Engineers who died in the First World War.
| Lived | Ash, Surrey | |
| Son of | Thomas and Sophia (nee Willis) | |
| Regiment | 5th Foreway Company, Royal Engineers | |
| Number | 538484 | |
| Date of Death | 30th August 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 33 | |
| Cemetery | Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, France |
