John William Lacey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frederick Walker, a builders labourer, married Florence Lacey in 1900 at Retford and they lived at 18 South Street,Retford. Florence brought two children to the marriage, Radcliffe born 1892 and John William born 1897 both born in Retford. In the 1911 census the family are living at 18 South Street, Retford. Frederick states he has been married to Florence for 11 years and has had 11 children only eight of whom had survived. both Radcliffe and John Willam carry the surname Lacey however the six remaining children Florence, Fred, Milly, Beatrice, Doris, Charles and Eileen are all referred to as Walker. In this census John is 14 years of age and a shop assistant in a fish merchants. In 1914 Fred Walker died aged 42 years at Retford and his widow Florence went on to remarry and become Florence Marshall.
It would appear that John enlisted as a territorial for four years service at Retford on 17th March 1914 and served with the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment being given the service number 1971. He gave his age as 17 years and 1 month his occupation as labourer and that his address was 19 South Street, Retford. He was mobilised and served on the home front from 5th August 1914 , he served for 2 years and 16 days , however on 4th April 1916 at Grantham he was discharged from the Army , in consequence of having been convicted by the civil powers of feloney. Following the sever losses at the battle of the Somme it appears that John must have been called up and re joined the army as he was serving with the 11th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbys) regiment when he was killed in action He is mentioned in the 11th battalion war diary as being killed - Saturday 23 December 1916 - 57215 Pte Lacey J. It was either on a working party or when they moved into the front line at Hooge later on 23rd. He is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, (Transport Farm) Belgium grave reference VI Q 22
The obituary of private J W Lacey Pte J W Lacey Retford soldier killed Retford Times 5 Jan 1917 News was received yesterday of the death of Pte J W Lacey, Sherwood Foresters, son of Mrs F Marshall, South Street, Retford, who was killed in action on Dec 22 1916. Deceased who was an old Council School boy was formerly employed by Messrs Crossland, carters. In a letter to his mother, an officer of the Battalion says:- “Your son was a willing worker and a good soldier. His death is keenly felt by both officers and men.” Mrs Marshall’s husband and another son who has been wounded, are both serving with the colours.
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