Stanley Maurice Loechel was born in Sydney, New South Wales on 21 May 1920, the son of Ernest August Loechel and Winifred Lorania (nee Stone). His mother was a great-granddaughter of Thomas and Ann Stone.
He enlisted for service on 16 April 1941 having previously served as a dental mechanic at the Army Dental Centre in Woodside, South Australia with the rank of Corporal.
He served in Borneo and the Middle East, and attended schools in gas and gunnery as well as a dental mechanic refresher course.
In June 1945 he reverted to Private at his own request. He was discharged on 12 February 1946
