Born in 1890 at Woodford, son of James (Carpenter/Joiner) and Jane Ann Harley. 1891: With his parents at 3 Ann Cottages, Victoria Road, South Woodford. 1901: A Scholar, still at 3 Ann Cottages with his parents. 1911: A Butcher, still at 3 Ann Cottages.
He enlisted at Walthamstow and was allocated to 13 Essex. He was sent overseas to France on 17th November 1915 to serve with 11 Essex.
On 13th September 1918, 11 Essex was in forward positions on the eastern edge of Holnon Wood. They faced little resistance from troops but heavy shelling with yellow gas shells. The following nights they established themselves in trenches on the north east edge of St Quentin Wood. Although some casualties were sustained from the gas, the Battalion captured 100 Germans and 4 machine guns in various local actions before 18-09-18.
During this period, Stewart Harley was Killed in Action.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Regimental History