Albert Charles Lacey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert Charles (Bert) was the son of William George and Prothezer Mary Lacey and the brother of Ethel Mary Lacey. William George was born in Islington, London, in 1863 (A/M/J Clerkenwell), the son of John and Emma Lacey. William George was baptised on 8 September 1867 at St Pancras, London. Prothezer Mary Matthews was born in 1857 (J/A/S York). They were married on 28 June 1890 at St Pancras, London, and had two children, Albert Charles b. 15 December 1894 and Ethel Mary b. 1892 (Islington) baptized St Mary Le Wigford, Lincoln, in 1893. William George had lived in Lincoln in 1881 when his father was a railway inspector for the Great Northern Railway and the fami lived in a railway property, Great Northern Railway House, Lincoln. William, who was then 18 years old, had been a clerk for the railway. In 1901 William, Prothezer and their two children were living at 17 Hungerton Street, Lenton. William was a commercial clerk on his own account. By 1911 the family had moved to 124 Holme Road, West Bridgford. William (48)was still working as a commercial clerk on railway accounts, Ethel Mary (18) was working as a typist for a hosiery manufacturer, and Albert (17) was working as a clerk. Also in the household was a boarder, Harry Schuster Vance (30, b. Belfast Antrim) who was a painter (artist). In 1914 when Albert enlisted the family was still living at 124 Holme Road, West Bridgford. Albert's sister, Ethel Mary, married Reginald John Fussell in 1918 (O/N/D Basford) and died in 1971 (Dec Rugby) at the age of 79. His father died on 6 October 1924 (Dec Basford); he was then living at 52 Holme Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. His mother died on 18 January 1942; she was then living at 8a Preston New Road, Blackpool.
He enlisted on 7 September 1914 at the age of 20 years and 265 days. He was admitted to Connaught Hospital. Aldershot, on 10 October 1914 suffering from pneumonia and according to the medical records died in hospital the following day, 11 October, at 9.20am. The date 11 October is also given in a notice in the Nottingham Evening Post although the CWGC record and headstone gives his date of death as 10 October. He was buried in West Bridgford (St Giles) Churchyard on 15 October 1914.
Nottingham Evening Post, 15 October 1914: ‘Nottm. Soldier’s Funeral. Impressive scene at West Bridgford. The funeral to-day at West Bridgford of Albert Charles Lacey, son of Mr and Mrs WP Lacey of 124, Holme-road, West Bridgford, who died from pneumonia while in the concentration camp with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, was attended by a large crowd of people. The cortege was escorted from the residence by representatives from the depot and companies of the Boys’ Brigade, with which deceased was associated , the coffin being draped with the Union Jack. Sergt. C Elborne, Corpl. B Jessop, and Rifleman H Overton came from the depot, and the St Christopher's and West Bridgford companies of the Boys’ Brigade were under the command of Capt. Swain. The chief mourners were Mr and Mrs HP Lacey and Miss Lacey and Mr H Seely Whitby, who took the Nottingham company of the corps to Winchester, also was present. At the churchyard there was a great crowd of people to witness the interment, the last rites being conducted by the Rev. Richard Hargreaves (rector). As the body was lowered into the grave the ‘Last Post’ was sounded by the Boys’ Brigade, the members of which afterwards filed past for the last glimpse of their one-time comrade. The wreaths included emblems from the officers of the depot, the corps, and from deceased’s own company. Among those present were several members of the West Bridgford Council and of the Nottingham Boating (sic) Club.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) His parents and sister inserted a notice in the Nottingham Post on 11 October 1919, the fifth anniversary of his death: 'Lacey. In loving memory of Albert Charles (Bert), KRRC, who died October 11th 1914. Ever in our thoughts - Father, mother, sister.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 11 October 1915: ‘Lacey. In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Albert Charles (Bert), who died at Aldershot October 11th, 1914. Ever in our thoughts. Father, mother and sister.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The church faculty appropriating the grave of Albert Charles Lacey to the CWGC for 100 years and permission to erect and maintain the headstone was granted on 3 July 1974. CWGC headstone, West Bridgford St Giles churchyard: 'Buried in this churchyard. 2952 Rifleman AC Lacey King's Royal Rifle Corps 10th October 1914. Aged 20. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father, William, was his legatee. Probate: Lacey William George of 52 Holme-road West Bridgord Nottingham died 6 October 1924 Administration London 5 November to Prothezer Mary Lacey widow. Effects £167 7s. 5d. Probate: Lacey Prothezer Mary of 8a Preston New-road Blackpool widow died 18 January 1942 at 1 Derby-road Wesham Lancashire, Administration Lancaster 7 March to Ethel Mary Fussell (wife of Reginald John Fussell). Effects £191 12s. 3d. The CWGC headstone in St Giles' churchyard is immediately behind the family grave and headstone of: Horace Lacey (died 4 April 1970 age 73), Dorothy Hannah Lacey (died 1 July 1975 age 77), Derek Lacey son of the above (died 19 May 1927 age 6) and Elaine Margaret Watson (died 15 January 2013 age 88).
