Stanley Joseph Callow Champion

photo BLSL Armadale
Personal Information
Date of Birth	unknown
Place of Birth	Ballarat, Victoria
Death	25 Jul 1916
Place of Death	Poziéres sector, France
Age at Enlistment	24 years 9 months
Description	5'5¼" (1.66m) tall; weight 151 lbs (68.5 kg), medium complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair
Occupation	orchardist
Religion	Methodist
Address	Bedfordale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr Joseph Henry Champion
Military Information
Reg Number	2161
Date of Enlistment	5 May 1915
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	12th Battalion, 6th reinforcement
Date of Embarkation	25 Jun 1915 - 18 Jul 1915
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A62 Wandilla
Fate	Killed in Action 25 Jul 1916, Poziéres
Monument	Armadale (Bedfordale panel) Bedfordale Honour Board
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

After a month of introductory training, Stan was earmarked for the 7th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, but after only four days with them he was transferred to the 6th reinforcement draft for the 12th Battalion. Initially transported to Port Suez, following minimal further training he was shipped to Anzac Cove where he was taken on strength by the 12th Battalion on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 6 Aug 1915.

Three days later he attended 2nd Field Ambulance with an abscess maxilla which required treatment at No 1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station on Lemnos Island on the 9th, and then the 24th Casualty Clearing Station on 15 Aug 1915. On 10 Sep 1915 he was admitted to No 15 Stationary Hospital at Mudross before being transferred to HMHS Aquitania on 18 Oct 1915. Conveyed to England departing on 21 Oct 1915, he was admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital in Bristol with dysentery six days later.

Arriving back in Egypt on 14 Feb 1916, he rejoined the 12th Battalion at Serapeum on 11 Mar 1916, just in time to proceed to Alexandria, where on the 29 Mar 1916 he boarded the HMT Corsican with the rest of his battalion.

Arriving in Marseilles on 5 May 1916 they entrained for St Omer, and then Strazule, arriving on 8 Apr 1916. Training at Strazule and Sailly-sur-la-Lys followed before they began to rotate into the front lines in May 1916.

In July they moved to the Poziéres area and prepared for an attack on it. The 12th Battalion was tasked with taking the second line of objectives in the attack. As a member of B Company, Stan was in the first wave of attackers to set out to capture Poziéres on the 23rd, and they then moved to a position on the north east edge of the township, before they were again moved to take up a defensive position on the south east edge of the township . 375 casualties were suffered by the 12th Battalion alone on that day. Those who had gained the German's old line had come under a massive bombardment that continued for many hours.

"Enlisted 5th May 1915, and sailed with the 6th Reinforcements to the 12th Battalion on 1st August 1915. He served in Gallipoli and took part in the attack on Lone Pine. Fell ill, and was invalided to England. Returned to Egypt and then went on to France."

William Butcher wrote home to say that Stanley was killed by a bullet to the stomach that had glanced off an Officer's helmet at Pozieres. On Sunday August 27th, 1916 a service was held at the Bedfordale Hall in memory of him and Frank Dowell.

Stanley's death was reported in the 199th Casualty The List was published in the Western Mail on 1 Sep 1916.

CHAMPION (in loving memory of Stanley J. C. Champion (dear old Stan.) who fought through Gallipoli, and in France until he fell at Pozieres, on July 25, 1916. He was good. —Inserted by Pearson and Zoe Mann (who will never forget him.) and Ken.

CHAMPION.-Killed in action in France on July 25, Stanley J. C., loved son of J. H. and Mrs. Champion, Bedfordale brother of Roy (on active service), Eunice, Horton, and Gordon, and Mrs. T. E. Douglas, Albany, aged 26 years. CHAMPION.-In loving remembrance of Stanley, killed in action July 25, 1916, beloved friend of Eileen Rourke. At rest.