Name: Stanley Forsyth Price
Awards: 1914 - 15 Star, British War Medal 1914 - 1920, Victory Medal, Military Medal, Distinguished Conduct Medal
Biographical Details:
Stanley (Nugget) Forsythe Price, a Blacksmith’s Striker by trade, enlisted in the 3rd Reinforcement of the 28th Battalion in June 1915. He was born in NSW to Robert Price and Rosabell Forsythe in 1891. He had three brothers and three sisters, also born in NSW. His family moved to Western Australia sometime between 1893 and 1903, where another brother was born.
Stanley’s father and older brother also enlisted during the World War. Both survived.
During the Trench Raid, Stanley, as the senior NCO, was the Right Bombing Party’s bomber. It was for this role that he was awarded the Military Medal:
In the raid on enemy trenches on night of 6/7th June, L.Cpl Price was with the right bombing party and displayed great dash and coolness throughout.
It is puzzling to note that Price and Tozer were recommended for their Military Medal by Col Collett. Tozer, and Church, had been independently recommended by Brigadier Paton. Paton’s recommendations were confirmed immediately. Price did not receive his MM until five months after the raid.
In 1917 Stanley was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal:
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack upon the enemy line he led the bombing squad with great dash, directing fire, and, at great risk, getting above the parapet for better observation. Though thrice wounded he remained on duty, and afforded a splendid example to his men.
During the course of the war Stanley was wounded three times. He was also hospitalised twice with VD, for a total of 90 days.
After the war, Stanley worked as a teamster (bullock driver) for a South West timber mill. He also rekindled an interest in boxing and football; sports in which he was held in great regard pre-war.
Fellow Black ANZAC Claude Walsh related a story in which one of the Raiders was required to go to the nearest estimenet and buy as much beer as he could carry. The nominated Raider was Stanley. While returning to their camp Price had to cross a shallow stream on a makeshift, one-person bridge (probably a plank). Unfortunately another Aussie entered from the other end. Perhaps because he was bigger or just obstinate the other soldier refused to retreat so that Nugget could continue across. Unable to put his load down or even turn around Nugget had to step off the bridge into the shallow water. He managed to deliver the beer to his mates without further incident.
Feeling put out, Nugget was able to find out who the other Aussie was and paid him a visit the next day. He was able to put his boxing skills to good use.
Nugget Price never married. He died, penniless, but not forgotten, in Perth Hospital in 1938, aged 47. He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.
Sunday Times 18th November 1928 p. 6