THE BIG SHOW
Stanley William Black - 53rd Battalion

Born in Cootamundra in 1898, Stanley William Black was the first of four children born to William and Margaret Black. A picture operator by trade he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915 with his father's permission.

Assigned to the 1st battalion he left Australia in October, bound for the Middle East . Upon arriving at Tel El Kebir he transferred into the newly created 53rd battalion and was sent to the Ferry Post for training.

While at the Ferry Post Stanley was constantly in and out of hospital as well as in and out of detention for crimes including going absent without leave, hesitating to obey an order and gambling. He was only just released prior to departing for France in June 1916 onboard the Royal George.

After arriving in France he entrained for Northern France where on July 19 he took part in the allied attacks on Fromelles. During the battle Stanley was wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans.

He spent the rest of the war moving between prisoner of war camps before finally returning to Australia in early 1919.

Stanley passed away in 1969 and is commemorated on the Redfern Town Hall memorial.

Research notes:

1) Although the NSW BDM listing says Stanley 's mother's name is Margaret his enlistment papers give his mother's name as Florence Black of 23 Morehead St Redfern.

2) It would appear Stanley was married twice, once in 1937 to Violet Clara Buist and again in 1954 to Thelma Farrell.

Photos:

1) Redfern Town Hall memorial detail. Image from NSW War Memorial Registry.

2) Redfern Town Hall memorial. Image from NSW War Memorial Registry..