Stanley Clitherow was born on 18 September 1922. He enlisted in the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry in January 1941, and later volunteered for The Parachute Regiment.

Private Clitherow was posted to the Defence Platoon, HQ 1st Airborne Division and went to North Africa.

In September 1944 he parachuted into Arnhem, and was wounded in the knee by shrapnel. He managed to withdraw across The Rhine. 

Lance Corporal Clitherow was released from service in August 1946.

Stanley married Doreen and had three children: Cathy, John and Mark. After the war he worked for George W King and British Aerospace before his retirement.