F/L S. T. Meares was born in Sidcup, Kent, in 1916 and educated at King's School, Bruton, Somerset.
Stanley joined the RAF on a short service commission in January 1936.
He was posted to 9 FTS, Thornaby on 4th April, and joined 74 Squadron at Hornchurch on 4th January 1937.

In late 1939 Stanley was posted to HQ Fighter Command. it is believed he flew one sortie from Hornchurch with No 54 Squadron on 12th August, qualifying him for the Battle of Britain clasp.

In May 1941 Stanley joined 611 Squadron at Westhampnett as a Flight Commander.
He was given command of 74 Squadron at Gravesend on 30th June 1941 and awarded the DFC (gazetted 22nd July 1941) being then credited with two Me109’s destroyed and two more damaged.

Stanley was posted to command 71 (Eagle) Squadron at North Weald on 24th August 1941.

Posted to a training command, he was involved in a mid-air collision with Pilot Officer R.O. Scarborough on 15th November 1941 and was killed. He was aged 25.

Flight Lieutenant Stanley Meares is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery.