Stanley was an accomplished mechanical engineer and a genius at constructing complex working models in Meccano.

Aged 14 he built a scale model of a working power loom, based on a machine in his Uncle’s textile mill.

The shuttles for the loom were specially built for Stanley by the company that made the full sized versions.

When run it could weave a tie that had “God save the King” emblazoned down the edges.

Not surprisingly the loom was a first prize winner at the Manchester Meccano Exhibition.

By the outbreak of the War, Stanley was working as a mechanical engineer and was given a reserved occupation meaning that he could not be called up. However he had a deep longing to fly.

A senior Commander in the RAF, happened to see Stanley’s Meccano marvel, and deeply impressed asked Stanley if there was anything he could help him with. Stanley requested an operational position within the RAF and the request was duly granted. Stanley was offered a position in Fighter Command and began the process of learning to fly. Its reputed that Stanley overflew Pudsey on a training flight and gave a victory roll over Brunswick Road!

Stanley was completing his flight training during the summer of 1942 and had progressed onto Spitfire’s.

During one of his training flights his aircraft came down over Holywell in North Wales on the 15th of August 1942.

His plane crashed upside down into a tree near to a farm.

Hearing the crash and seeing the plane, the farmers daughter dashed to Stanley’s aid, carrying a bottle of brandy with her.

Sadly it was too late for Stanley, and he is now buried, as he wished next to Ronnie.