Stanley Smale – 14th (Service) Battalion, Welsh Regiment (Swansea Battalion)

Private Stanley Smale – 14th (Service) Battalion, Welsh Regiment (Swansea Battalion)

Stanley Smale, born in 1895 in Swansea, was the son of John Smale and Susan Holmes, who married in 1875 in Barnstaple, Devon. His early life is clearly recorded in the 1901 and 1911 Census returns, which show a large working‑class family rooted in the industrial neighbourhood of Mayfield Street, Cwmbwrla.

Early Life – 1901 & 1911 Census (Combined Narrative)

1901 Census

The 1901 Census places the Smale family at 3 Mayfield Street, Swansea. John, aged 49, worked as a general labourer, while his Devon‑born wife Susan, aged 48, managed the home. Their children were Charles (17), a labourer in the tin works; Emma (15); Ernest (13); Arthur (12) and Stanley (6).

1911 Census

By 1911, the family remained at the same address. John, now 59, continued as a general labourer, and Susan, aged 58, was still at home. Three sons were still present: Ernest (23), a general labourer; Arthur (22), a steel‑works labourer; and Stanley (16), employed as a “helper at cold rolls,” reflecting Swansea’s strong industrial and metalworking trades.

Stanley Smale
St. Peter's Church, Cockett
credit - fidnagrave

Service with the Welsh Regiment

Stanley later enlisted in the 14th (Service) Battalion, Welsh Regiment (Swansea Battalion) — the city’s own battalion, raised from local men and closely tied to Swansea’s civic identity during the First World War.

Death and Burial

Private Stanley Smale died on 23 September 1916 at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, from wounds sustained in service. His body was brought home to Swansea, where he was laid to rest at St Peter’s, Cockett, becoming part of the parish’s early roll of First World War casualties.