Soldier Record
Stanley Gilbert Gordon Vince
Contributed by: Clive Mabbutt, on 2008-12-19
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | Stanley Gilbert Gordon |
| Surname | Vince |
| Year of Birth | 1895 |
| Year of Death | 1969 |
| Regiment | Manchester Regiment |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Monks Eleigh, Suffolk |
Stanley Gilbert Gordon's Story
My grandfather fought in the Great War of 1914 - 1918 & fortunately survived! Evidently, he spoke of being buried alive by mud from an exploding shell at the Somme but never expanded on the full horrors of his life in the trenches & on the battlefields of France & finally Italy. My grandmother said it was because of 'hand to hand' fighting! He was invalided out of WW1 in 1917 in Italy due to a heart attack, aged 22.
My grandfathers 2 brothers were both killed in WW1 - R609 RNVR, Sydney Rodney Cyril Vince died on 26th October, 1917. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium. Alfonso Vince was killed on the 25th of October 1915 aged 25 and is remembered with honour at Loos Memorial, France. All 3 Vinces are commemorated on the War Memorial/Roll of Honour plaques in St. Peters Church, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk.
During WW2 my grandfather owned the Post Office & General stores in Monks Eleigh with my grandmother, Lillian Gertrude Vince. They had a daughter, my Mum, Doreen Lillian Vince (later Mabbutt). Heart problems meant that they had to retire & they moved to Plymouth, Devon.
My grandfather died in 1969 & is buried in St Budeaux Church, Plymouth. My grandmother died in 1995 & is buried with him. My grandfather loved all sports including cricket & boxing. He was a 'dapper dresser' having trained as a tailor in Saville Row before WW1.
Other memories
The Vince Family not only ran the Timber business in Monks Eleigh but also the Post Office
Stanley is shown standing top left at this Family Wedding. Next to him is Alfonso. Next is his grandfather, Abraham Partridge - with the white beard. Stanley's father, Robert Sparrowe Vince, is standing far right with his mother Harriet, seated far right. Florence Vince, the bride in the centre, is a sister marrying Daniel Jack Hollox, the groom seated next to her. Daisy, another sister is next to her
It is now known that Stanley served in the 5th PALS The Manchester Regiment 20th Battalion. Stanley also served in the 22nd Battalion whilst fighting at the Somme towards the end of 1918.
Early pictures in uniform confirm that Stanley joined The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) before being sent to reinforce the Manchester Regiment fighting at the Somme in 1916.
He arrived at the 24th Infantry Brigade Depot, at Etaples on 29th June 1916. On 9th July 1916, he was attached to the 20th Battalion and from the 25th Oct 1916 he fought in the field with them and the 22nd Battalion until 30th Nov 1918.
After WW1 Stanley was awarded The Special Constabulary Long Service Medal with Bar dated 1939 for at least 9 years unpaid service with more than 50 duties per annum.
A last post!
A visit to the National Archives at Kew yesterday confirmed all the information so far discovered about my grandad Stanley
Confirmation that Stanley did work for Henry Poole & Co. (Tailors in Saville Row) both before enlisting & after his WW1 service.
As Stanley served in both the Manchester Regiment 20th
The Vince Family Group c 1910 image shows five of Stanley's family. Top left is Clarence his eldest brother. Clarence didn't fight in WWI as he stayed at home in Monks Eleigh to run the family Timber business - vital to the War effort. Top right is his 2nd eldest brother, Alfonso killed in 1915. Far right is a sister, Daisy. In the front row centre is Stanley's mother, Harriet Vince. Kneeling far right is his younger brother, Sydney killed in 1917.
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