He served in the Boer War in South Africa (1899–1902) during which he was involved in operations near Colesberg and the Relief of Kimberley and also saw action at the Battle of Paardeberg and was mentioned in dispatches.

He was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1900 and promoted to captain in 1902.

In 1917, he was at the battles of Passchendaele and Cambrai, was twice mentioned in dispatches and awarded the French Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre and promoted to Brigadier-General.

[2][5] Stansfeld married, in 1903, Ethel, daughter of William Hebden of Scarborough, Yorkshire, and they had two sons.

One of these was Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Wolrych Guy Stansfeld, DSO (1906–87) who served in the East Surrey Regiment during World War II.