STREAT Stanley

Stanley Streat was the second son of Mrs Amelia Streat of Hessle, Yorkshire and the late Rev. Caleb Streat (formerly Wesleyan Minister at Stouport). Born 5th September 1889 at Scarborough, he followed his brother John to Kingswood School, Bath from 1901 to 1905. For four years afterwards he learned farming with Mr. J.M. Riggall, at Hackthorne, near Lincoln, and during that time became a fully accredited preacher. In February 1909 he sailed for Canada and in due course took up a homestead. He was sent as representative to the Synod and Conference and finally entered the Canadian Ministry. After some months in circuit work, he entered Wesley College, Winnipeg, and was in his second year there when the war called him away. He enlisted at Winnipeg on 6th December 1915 in the 10th Field Ambulance of the Canadian Army Medical Corps. He spent many months in training in Winnipeg and in the Spring of 1916 reached England on the way to France. In September 1916 he was badly wounded by a shell and was in hospital for four months. On recovery he was given hospital work at home, until December 1917, when he was again sent overseas. He was offered an extra three months at home, but, fearing a weaker man might be sent in his place, chose to return to the front. He went forward in the push on 26th August last and while trying to rescue the wounded he was killed by a shell; he was hourly expected home at the time, as all arrangements had been made for his marriage. He was buried behind the lines, near Arras. His Lieut.-Col. writes: “Private Streat was one of our original men and was extremely popular with all his fellow men. His efforts in collection and caring for the wounded were untiring and his energetic nature and good work set a high standard. It is such men as he who keep up the moral tone of the Army”. A minister’s son who was with him at Kingswood and at Wesley College, says “The news of his death was a great blow. I have looked forward to his help in reconstruction after the war, and I feel sure, had he lived, he would have been one of the stalwarts of Methodism”. The following is part of the letter Stanley Streat gave his mother, to be opened in case of his death on active service: “I have felt for a long time now that if I returned to France I should be killed. If such should prove to be the case I hope that my dear ones won’t regret the service I was led to offer. Many a better man has already given his life – why should I demand that my sacrifice be any less? I am content to leave myself in God’s hands, in whose service I have tried to be a faithful soldier, and in whose care I am safe whatever happens. There I would have you leave me, and remember me as one who tried to do what he conceived to be his duty, knowing full well all the time what the price would be. Some day we shall meet again and then we shall understand.”

Sources for additional information: Kidderminster Shuttle 14th September 1918, Kingswood School magazine, December 1918. Stanley Streat’s name appears on the Kingswood School war memorial.

Stanley Streat enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 6th December 1915 at Winnipeg, Canada. On his attestation paper he gave his date of birth as 5th August 1889 in Scarborough, England, his occupation as a Student, resident at Wesley College, Winnipeg and his next of Kin as his mother, Mrs Amelia Streat, Hessle, East Yorkshire, England. Stanley was 5 feet 11 inches tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes and medium brown hair.

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9379 – 10

The Canada Commonwealth War Graves Registers record the following information on Private Stanley Streat:
Killed in Action.  Unconfirmed burial report: Duissan Military Cemetery.  Confirmed burial report: Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, 4 miles West North West of Arras.  Burial report advised to Ottawa and next of kin: 31.1.19.

Probate 1920:
STREAT Stanley of Wesley College Winnipeg Manitoba Canada died 26 August 1918 in France Probate London 21 August to sir William Middlebrook knight. Effects £390 10s 1d.