Born 14 December 1876 at Burton-on-Trent, the fourth child and third son of Charles Stanley, a master butcher, and Caroline Clarson, his wife. He was educated at the Burton-on-Trent Grammar School, at Birmingham, and at St George's Hospital, London. He went to South Africa, as soon as he had qualified, in 1899 as a civil surgeon during the South African war, and afterwards served as medical officer to Kitchener's Horse, South African Field Force during the years 1900 and 1901. The war being ended, he returned to general practice at Burton, and was for many years a partner in the medical firm of Lowe, Stanley, and Pickett. He was medical officer to the Burton-on-Trent Institute, and was elected surgeon to the Burton-on-Trent Infirmary, with the charge of the ear, nose, and throat department. During the war he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel, RAMC (T), his commission as captain being dated 1 April 1915. He married Eunice Manners in 1903, died at 181 Horninglow Street, Burton-on-Trent on 1 December 1939, and was survived by two daughters.