Stansfeld was educated at Uppingham School where in 1896 he was awarded the school's Silver Medal for winning the annual boxing competition; the school magazine described him as an "all round athlete of the highest possible promise".[5][6]
He returned from Egypt to the early fighting in Belgium and was wounded during the First Battle of Ypres. He returned to the front after three weeks' leave, and was again mentioned in dispatches. He participated in the famous Christmas truce at the end of the first year of the Great War and wrote home to his wife about it,[16][15]
This letter will reach you about New Year's Day. I must describe my Xmas day to you, which was most unique, and very interesting. Sprot and I were alone, we went to Communion Service at 8am in a hay-loft! There were about 40 people, mostly officers. The General, and all his staff, and a lot of gunners were there. Most of the officers of course were in the trenches. We returned to breakfast, and had the Xmas tree on the table, and with that coffee, quaker oats and eggs and bacon, and ration jam (a curious mixture of tea-leaves and turnips). We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. ... When Sprot and I arrived (about 3pm) there was no-one in the ... of our section, so I waved for one of the Germans to come across and talk, which he did. We met in the middle but beyond shaking hands and laughing at one another, we could not say very much as we were both ignorant of the other's language. Henry (big drummer) who is my orderly with Piper Stuart was with us and I had carefully left my camera in our trenches in case of raising suspicion, but as my friend seemed quite willing to be photographed, I sent Henry for it. Meanwhile in order to collect a few men for the group, I gave couple of View Halloos. Effect marvellous. Heads popped up everywhere. They thought we were charging them, I think!! When they saw what was happening, about 20 came across.
I took 2 photos with Sprot in the group, and he took 2 with me in the group. It should be most interesting and quite unique. I should get into awful trouble if it was known, as we are not allowed to take photos. But what a chance to have missed. They were Bavarians and Hanoverians, 15th, 115th and 158th Regiments. They were very cheery and laughed at nothing, in fact merriment was rather forced on both sides. However, we ragged one another. There was one measly looking officer, who looked as if he played a tin whistle in civil life. One man made a horrible face and slunk off like a frightened wolf – and started to run to his trench. I honestly thought he was going to get his gun and shoot me. So Sprot and I walked quietly back to our trench, ready to jump in, if there was any trouble. Presently he came back with four pals and shouted to me to go back and photograph them as well! I did not go back. As the Boer prisoner said to me at Jopa "he looked me false in ze face".[17]
In March 1915 at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, Stansfeld was wounded for a second time, receiving a shrapnel wound to his shoulder.[12][18] He was hospitalised at Warley, Essex then spent some time recuperating with his uncle at Dunninald.[19] He was soon back at the front commanding the 2nd Gordons at the Battle of Loos. Within minutes of the start of the battle on 25 September Stansfeld was wounded in both legs; he was stretchered away and his right leg amputated.[20] He died of his wounds three days later on 28 September at a field dressing station in Chocques.[11][21][22][23][24][25] Lieutenant-Colonel Stansfeld was one of 54 British EmpireCommanding Officers killed or wounded at that battle.[26]
In 1904, Stansfeld married Constance Yolonde de Bourbel de Montpincon the daughter of Major-General Raoul de Bourbel, 8th Marquis de Montpincon (1830–1904). They had one son, Captain John de Bourbel Stansfeld, MC (1905–57) of Dunninald Castle, Scotland.[11]
^"ROUND THE TOWN". Montrose, Arbroath and Brechin review; and Forfar and Kincardineshire advertiser. No. 5464. 8 October 1915. p. 5. Retrieved 28 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^Hodgkinson, P.E. (28 September 2015), Loos 25 Sept to 15 Oct 1915: A Bloody Battle for COs, The Battle of Loos was an extraordinarily bloody battle for infantry battalion COs. 28 were killed and 26 wounded (one further CO being captured).