stanley sheldrake

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Stanley was killed in May 1945 (after the war had ended) in a gun accident.

[top left] On reverse of photograph of grave:
"plot x row f grave 10
conc report no. 81/con/g/62
neg no. 2.c.c.u./10/1181"

[top right] Newspaper articles:

"Private Stanley Sheldrake, aged 19, youngest son of Nrs Sheldrake, 66 Venmore Street, was accidentally killed in German on May 19. An old boy of Breckfield Council school where he captained the football team, Private Sheldrake later played for Liverpool Boys' F.C., and won several medals. Only one week before his death he had signed on for post war football with Liverpool F.C."

"Liverpool Player Killed

Stanley Sheldrake, the 19-year-old amateur inside forward of Liverpool F.C. has been killed on the Continent while serving with the Forces.

Sheldrake played with the County Combination team and lived at 66 Venmore street, Anfield, Liverpool 4."

[bottom left] George's note on reverse of photograph:
"Edinburgh castle 1991. Book of rememberance. 2Bt. Seaforth Highlanders. Containing the name of Stanley Sheldrake. 14790937."

[bottom right]Letter from his commanding officer to Bella Sheldrake upon the death of Stanley Sheldrake:

"24 May 1945

Dear Mrs Sheldrake:

This is one of the hardest letters I've ever written and no matter what I say I can never express the sorrow that each one of us feels here. No doubt by this time you will have received word from the War Office telling of the death of your son Stanley. He was a grand lad and one of the main-stays of the company. Knowing him as we did we can appreciate in a small way the sorrow and grief his death has caused you.

I happened to be many miles away attending a Court Martial at the time of the accident and received the sad news of Stanley's death on my return.

We have lost a good many lads in battle but to lose a lad like Stanley when the battle is over is almost unbearable.

At the time we were taking part in the demobilization of the German army. And although the war was over we had to be very much on the alert with all weapons loaded and ready for any trouble. Stanley went to visit one of his chums to borrow a book. This friend had just finished cleaning his weapon and laid it on the table as Stanley came in. In turning to get the book he bumped the table and knocked the gun to the floor. It went off and hit Stanley. Death was practically instantaneous.

We buried Stanley in the garden outside our company office in the little village of Drangstadt. It is perhaps too small to find on the map but is about 15 miles North-East of Bremen-haven.

May god bless you and keep you.

Maj. R. F. Mae Kay
o.c. "D" Coy
2 Seaforths"

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