Bbdr Stanley Walter Schreiter | Soldiers | Great War

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Bbdr Stanley Walter Schreiter the son of Alvin George and Magdalena (Schaefer) Schreiter, of 89 Queen Street, Berlin, Ontario. Stanley a Furniture Dealer by trade, like his father. Since 1892, Schreiter’s Furniture, Kitchener Ontario’s go-to place for high quality furnishings.

117 King Street, circa 1892 — Since 1892, Schreiter’s Furniture, Kitchener Ontario’s go-to place for high quality furnishings.

Alvin George Schreiter

Alvin George Schreiter born 26 July 26 1859 in Hochkirch, Sachsen, Germany. He emigrated to Canada in 1885. A son, Herbert Charles born in 1888, another son Armand Alvin in 1891, and Stanley Walter born 28 September 1893. Their sister Florence born later in 1902.

Alvin Schreiter worked at William Simpson Co Ltd until 1900. The previous year he had established Schreiiter’s Limited, which eventually became one of the finest, and largest retail furniture stores in Ontario. In 1902 he started an undertaking business, eventually opening Schreiter Funeral Home in 1929. Schreiter’s Furniture on 117 King Street West, not far from The Yost Studios.

Photo of Stanley Walter Schreiter – The Yost Studios located at 175 King Street West, Berlin from 1915 to 1920. Proprietor Levi R. Yost.

Berlin

The city of Berlin, Ontario, changed its name to Kitchener by referendum in May and June 1916. Not so unusual Stanley enlisted with his family name to join the CEF, as many would not of German descent in the prairies.

Enlistment of Gunner Stanley Walter Schreiter

Gnr Stanley Walter Schreiter enlisted with the 43rd Battery on 25 January 1916 in Guelph, only 25 miles from Kitchener. The RSM and commanding officer obviously aware Gnr Schreiter from a respected family. At this time, Stanley stood 5′ 11″ tall with fair complexion, blue eyes and light hair.

43rd Battery

The 43rd Battery, Canadian Field Artillery organized in December 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel David McCrae. Mobilized at Guelph and recruited in M.D.I but 40 men from Knox College, Toronto enlisted as a body.

The battery left Saint John 2 March 1916 aboard SS MISSANABIE, along with the 10th and 11th Brigades, CFA, and arrived in England 13 March 1916.

England

On 20 March 1916, Major Andrew McNaughton transferred from the 21st Battery and took command of Stanley’s battery.

Brig.-Gen. A.G.L. McNaughton, Commander, Canadian Corps Heavy Artillery. MIKAN No. 3357570

At Bramshott Camp on 30 May 1916 Stanley completes his Last Will, bequeathing all to his mother. Witnessed by his friends Carl Montgomery Brodie 307714 and Frank Weldon Beatty 307671 also of the 43rd Battery.

Funeral service for Canadians at Bramshott.

Soldiers completed their Wills in anticipation of proceeding overseas.

Sir Robert Borden reviewing Canadians at Bramshott. MIKAN No. 3642839

The battery moved to Witley Camp on 14 April 1916.

Driver_training_in_England_1915_thought_to_be_in_the_Witley_area William Okell Holden Dodds fonds University of Victoria

Reviewed by H M The King on 1 July 1916 at Witley Camp.

Western Front

Embarking in Portsmouth on 13 July 1916, Bombardier Stanley Walter Schreiter entered the Western Front on 15 July 1916. The 43rd Battery still with the 11th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery.

Belgium

Winnezeele reached on 17 July 1916. Moved to St Laurent on 24 July 1916, and finally, just southwest of Vlamertinghe on 25 July 1916.

On 10 August 1916 Gunner Kenneth Brown Downie killed-in-action and buried at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm).

The commune of Zillebeke contains many Commonwealth cemeteries as the front line trenches ran through it during the greater part of the war.

Move planned to the Somme on 11 August 1916. Stanley promoted Bombardier In the Field on 29 September 1916.

France

The Battery does not arrive on the Somme until 8 October 1916, well after the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. However, the battery participates in the attack on REGINA TRENCH.

Albert Communal Cemetery Extension

On 15 October 1916, Major Gordon Hamilton Southam and Battery Sergeant Norman John Harvie killed-in-action and later buried at Albert Communal Cemetery Extension. On 4 November 1916, Gunner Grisdale 302653 and Gunner Letch 302680 also buried in the cemetery.

Albert held by French forces against the German advance on the Somme in September 1914. It passed into British hands in the summer of 1915.

The battery left Le Sars on 25 November 1916, and by the 29th at Berthonval Farm.

Bbdr Stanley Walter Schreiter transferred from 11th to the 8th Army Field Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, upon reorganization on 5 May 1917.

Ammunition_column_mules_each_carrying_without_rider_eight_18_pounder_artillery.

In June of 1917, the 11th Brigade absorbed by other units of the 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery. Personnel transferred to the 3rd Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column (DAC), with exception of Lt’s J L Duncan and J R Somers to Ralston’s Brigade. The 3rd DAC reduced from four sections to three at this time.

9 June 1917

Stanley’s friend Gunner Carl Montgomery Brodie wounded (GSW Head) on 9 June 1917, and later invalided to England.

8 Section Panorama Western Front. FIELD OF VIEW: Berthonval Farm to Oppy Wood DIRECTION OF VIEW: North East to East CAMERA LOCATION: Tower of Mont St Eloi. © IWM Q 43137

Berthonaval Farm still within range of German artillery in the summer of 1917. Stanley an unfortunate victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. On 11 August 1917, his unit about 500 yards northwest of Berthonoval Farm. On routine duties that evening, Bbdr Stanley Walter Schreiter likely struck by fragments of an enemy shell. He died before reaching a dressing station at No. 95 Field Ambulance.

Bbdr Schreiter the first casualty in the 8th Brigade in over a month. Buried the following day in nearby Maroeuil British Cemetery.

Maroeuil British Cemetery

Maroeuil a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, 6 kilometres north-west of Arras, between the roads to Houdain and Aubigny.

The cemetery protected from observation by the crest of the hill behind it and whenever possible, bodies brought back to it from the front line by tramway.

The MAROEUIL BRITISH CEMETERY lies at the end of a track running north from the road to Bray and Ecoivres (C.1).