Every life
carries a story worth sharing. At Sundial Care Home we tell the story of
Stanley Herbert (Stan), a true naturalist and beloved family member (resident)
living here, whose journey has taken him from military service in Libya, across
the oceans to New Zealand, through decades of farming, and into a lifelong
passion for craftsmanship and nature. Stan’s story offers a glimpse into a life
shaped by fearlessness, skilled hands, and the love for his family and the
great outdoors.
A Wartime
Childhood
Stan Herbert was
born on 27 October 1937 in Beckenham, Greater London, and spent his childhood
in Penge, Southeast London, with his parents and his sister, Grace. His
earliest memories are set against the backdrop of wartime Britain and Stan
recalls one day while walking with his mother, a buzz bomb tore through the
sky, passing over the rooftops before exploding nearby.
School Years
and a Sandwich Shared
At school, Stan
showed a natural ability in the water, earning his lifesaving certificate. It
was around this time that he grew closer to his sweetheart, Maureen. Their
schools were divided, between boys and girls, so the pair would sit and share
sandwiches through the railings.
A Young Hero
When leaving his
education, Stan had hoped to pursue a career in carpentry, but his grandfather
who was a joiner advised against this. For now, his first job was working with
a photographer on New Oxford Street in London.
Whilst working
one day, he smelled smoke coming from the building next door, it was on fire.
Realising there were workers inside, he climbed through the skylight and ran
across the rooftops to get them to safety. This act of bravery earned Stan, the
“Young Hero”, a mention in the evening press. “There are plenty of things we
could say about Dad, but one thing that always struck us was that he was
fearless,” they shared.
Despite this
thrilling experience, Stan realised the photography trade wasn’t for him, so he
left the city behind, taking a farming job in Hayes, West London.
The Military
and a Dog Named Sly
Stan was later
called up for National Service and posted just outside Benghazi, Libya. He
served as a military dog trainer, working with his trusted dog, Sly. Stan
recalled if an anti-sniper dog suddenly sat down, he would instantly “hit the
deck”, between the dogs ears would be the direction of a sniper. Stan enjoyed
his time in the military, so he decided to stay an extra year after completing
his two years of service.
Maureen and
the One-Way Ticket
Whilst visiting
home on leave, the spark between sweethearts, Stan and Maureen was reignited.
When returning a spanner he had borrowed from her father, she was impressed by
his motorbike and he offered to take her for a spin. The pair were inseparable
ever since.
The couple
married in June, 1961, and made the decision to emigrate to New Zealand where
farm workers were needed. However after around six months, Maureen began to
miss home but they would need time to save money, as he’d only bought a one-way
ticket! In that time they welcomed their sons Michael in 1963, Peter in 1964
and David in 1966.
Life on the
Move, Farming Across England
When the couple
returned to England with their sons, Stan was drawn back to farming and built a
reputation as a skilled herdsman and stockman. Around this time they welcomed
their daughter Lindsay in 1969, before making the decision to settle down in
Devon. Finally, their youngest Jessica was born in 1977.
A Craftsman
at Heart
When health
issues unfortunately forced Stan to step back from farming, he worked part-time
in a joiner’s workshop in Colaton Raleigh. Stan had always been into woodwork
and settled into a more “common-sense aesthetic”.
“One of my dad’s
super powers was common sense,” his son Michael recalled. “He made a dining
table out of scraps. It was supremely practical.”
Life in Devon
allowed Stan to share his love for woodwork and the great outdoors with his
children. “If someone suggested that a fallen tree needed to be removed, we
would all go out to help get it,” they all remembered. “We would all have our
roles and the tree would be taken back home to chop up for firewood.”
Overall, Stan
has dedicated many years to woodworking, also founding a carving group with a
friend over 25 years ago that is still active today.
Life at
Sundial Care Home
Now in his
retirement at Sundial Care Home near Sidmouth, Devon, Stan is supported to
continue enjoying the things he loves most. Sundial has also planted his willow
fox, which now stands as a feature in the garden, and several of his
woodcarvings are displayed in the home. His family remain closely involved in
life at Sundial.
Stan’s legacy
lives on through his displayed crafts, the life he is supported to lead today,
and through his children. Fearless, practical, and family-focused, Stan has
crafted a legacy with his own two hands.
His children
summed it up best, “Dad is a true naturalist, with a huge gift for
understanding animals and the land. He’s a top human being — and we all agree.”
If you would like to
learn more about Sundial Care Home, please visit https://www.sundialcare.com/activities-in-care/
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