Full name of worker at H.M. Factory Gretna (and any other names they are known by) :	Stanley Astall
Gender	Male
Date and place of birth	4th May 1890, Horwich, Lancashire
Date and Place of Death:	17th March 1974, Romiley, Cheshire
Nationality:	English
Childhood	Had 3 brothers- lived in Horwich
Parents	Joseph Asall and Hannah Elizabeth nee Scott
Parents occupations	Boiler maker
Schools / universities attended and years of attendance:	Not known
Occupation	Analytical chemist
Place of residence at Gretna:	22 The Rand , Eastriggs – wife also there
Marital status	Married
Children	At least one , born in Eastriggs
Travels	None known
Awards/recognitions:	None known
Positions held
Trivia / any other information:	Yes
Bibliography  Books published (Title, year of publication, publisher):   Books written about the individual or mentioning the individual (Title, year of publication, publisher):
References  Blogs about the individual:   Websites about the individual:
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Biography 

Stanley Astall 1890-1974 

Stanley was born on 4th May 1890 at Horwich, Lancashire to Joseph Astall , a boiler maker , and Hannah Elizabeth nee Scott. Joseph, the son of a biler maker was born in Newton-le-Willows and Hannah the daughter of a builder , in nearby Earlstown. They were married at Newton in Makerfield on Christmas Day 1889. Joseph was described as an Iron turner at the time of his marriage.  

Stanley arrived just 5 months later at Horwich, near Bolton. The 1891 census is not evident but Joseph and his new bride probably started their married life in Horwich. In 1892 a second son Harold was born followed by Wilfred in 1896 and Albert on 20th August 1899. The 1911 census indicates that there had been a 5th child who died.  

The 1901 census places the Astalls at 135 Crown Lane, Horwich, Joseph at 36 an iron turner fitter. Hannah, also 36 and the boys are 10, 9, 5 and 1. None are listed as being at school. 

By the time of the 1911 census they are living at 117 Chorley New Rd, Horwich., a home with six rooms. Joseph, 46 is still an Iron turner employed by a Locomotive Department of a Railway Company. Stanley at 20 is an apprentice analytical chemist. No further details are given. Harold at 19 is a clerk, Wilfred now 15 , an apprentice fitter and Albert at 11 is at school. 

We know that Stanley was employed by the London and North Western Railway in 1913 as he appears in their employment register for that year. We know from this record that he was employed as an assistant chemist, began work at 9 am each day, earned 40/- ( shillings) and he was given a reference by G Hughes Esq., Loco Superintendent, L and Y Railway. This company amalgamated with the London and North Western in 1922. Perhaps this was the company Stanley was apprenticed to. He was still there through 1914 into 1915 at the outbreak of war as the company register for  that period lists him aged 24 years and 2 months being transferred on to the salary list on 45/-. His timekeeping is remarked upon as being very good. 

A circular was issued in 1915 – “ Men with training in chemistry are required for service with the Royal Engineers for … oversees.” 

“ age 19 to 45” 

“ ordinary standards of height and chest measurement will be waived…Eyesight may be passed with the wearing of glasses.” 

“…at once  promoted to corporal” 

A railway warrant  would be given following a medical to travel to Great Scotland Yard , London for attestation then on to Chatham to be kitted out.  The full document is included in the attached folder.  

A “permission to join the colours” from his employer is also included. 

The address he gave for his parents was 117 Chorley New Road and we learn from his service record that he was 5ft 6 ¾ Inches tall. His address at this time is 16, Stalbridge , Crewe.  

Stanley attested on 23rd August 1915 and embarked to France on 6th September. On 14th September 1916 he was transferred to the Ministry of Munitions , in this case to H M Factory,  Gretna. It appears that Stanley along with many of the other chemists who signed up to help the war effort would maintain their military rank and pay at Gretna. Stanley is not listed as Corporal on the electoral register for Eastriggs but merely , Stanley Astall.   

On 23rd May 1917 Stanley married Mabel Frances Atkins in the Bolton registration district, probably Horwich. There is no evidence that Mabel joined Stanley at Gretna other than the fact that there is a birth registration for Eileen Mary, born 19th June 1918 at 22 The Rand , Eastriggs. We must assume that they lived there as a couple from their marriage date.  

Mabel, born on 10th January 1892 was the only child of George , a  joiner and  Eliza Mary of Irish descent. 

In 1911, Mabel was a student teacher employed by Lancashire County Council and she and her parents were living at 66 Crown Lane , Horwich, clearly just along the road from the young Astall boys at the time.  

Stanley’s brother Harold also married during wartime in April 1918 before he joined the Royal Air Force on 7th August. The other brothers were too young for active service.  

By the end of the war and the production at HM Factory , Gretna, S. Astall is included in the Dornock Farewell magazine giving an address of 66 Crown Lane , Norwich. This is a misprint and should read Horwich.  

We can guess that he left the factory on 14th December 1918 as this is when his service papers say he was discharged and his pension is calculated based on 3 years and 114 days service.  

It is probable that another child was born around 1920, a blacked out line on 1939 register indicates this.  

An electoral register for 1923 places Stanley at 9 Buxton Avenue, Crewe- the heart of the Railway industry of the time. BY 1930, the electoral register indicates that Stanley and Mabel had moved to 315 Hungerford Road, Crewe where we also find them in 1939.  

The 1939 register as well as including  dates of birth for Stanley , Mabel and Eileen informs us that Stanley is a chemist  controlling a water softening plant for LMS Rlwy. Mabel is “ unpaid domestic duties” and Eileen is a certified school teacher-elementary school . Harold is a civil servant in the Ministry of Labour living in St Helen’s and Albert is a workshop foreman for the railway company .  

Stanley’s parents can still be found at 116 Chorley New Road, Horwich. Joseph is now a “ tool turner retired”. 

Stanley’s mother died in 1947 and his father  in 1951, Wilfred in 1967 and Harold in 1969.  

Mabel died on 20th November 1972 aged 80 , still at 315 Hungerford Road. Probate indicates that she left an estate worth £2712.  

Stanley lived until 17th March 1974. His death was registered in Stockport and Probate gives an address of 1 Broad Hey, Romiley, Cheshire. He left an estate worth £13, 156.