His friend Carnegie speaks most highly of him, and his sudden death on the threshold of success was a sad blow to the company.

Stansmore was the third explorer to lose his life from a gun accident.
At Hall's Creek Carnegie heard of the misfortune that had befallen Wells, in the loss of two of his party, and he at once volunteered his assistance; but as search-parties had already started out, his aid was not required.

He therefore rested for a short time before again trying conclusions with the desert on the return journey.

Sturt's Creek was by this time occupied and stocked, and the party followed it down until they arrived at its termination in Gregory's Salt Sea.

From this point Carnegie kept a southerly course to Lake Macdonald near the South Australian border, passing on his way a striking range which he named the Stansmore Range, after his unfortunate companion.