Joseph 'Joey' Stanley served prior to joining the Parachute Regiment with Royal Horse Artillery.

He served at home on AA duties in Derby, then in Dunkirk as a Lewis Gunner and then in North Africa.

Joey was 'taken on strength' 15 February 1944 with The  4th Parachute Bn, B Coy. He was parachute jump trained in Italy. Joey served in Italy, Greece, South of France and Germany. He joined the Reserves 17 February 1948.

It is believed that he then re-joined the army. Given a new service number. This time with The INT Corps and served in Cyprus, Malaysia and Germany.