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John Noble Lacey (1896-1918)


Lance Corporal in the 19th Battalion DLI commemorated by an oak tree at Wolsingham Grammar School


The following information has been contributed by Ryan and Harry at Wolsingham School:
John was born in the year 1896. We do not know the exact date of his birth, but we know his exact death date was 17 April 1918. John was the only son of John Lacey and Margaret Lacey. John went to school at Wolsingham Grammar School. He was born and brought up in the east end of Wolsingham. At the age of 19 John was working as an apprentice tailor in his father’s business. John enlisted into the army on 5 May 1916. In the army he was a Lance Corporal with the service number 32131. John’s death was announced in the Wolsingham Grammar School magazine, The Phoenix. Alongside the announcement John is described as “well-groomed, reserved and refined.”

This additional information has been found about John:
John attested on 7 December 1915 and sent to the Army Reserve. This meant that he had promised to join the army when his service was called upon. On 2 May 1916, he was mobilised, and joined 4th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, a home battalion, at Seaham Harbour. Within five months, in October 1916, he had been promoted to Lance-Corporal. On 20 December 1916, John embarked from Folkestone for France. Initially posted to the 12th Battalion DLI, he was soon posted to the 19th Battalion and joined the unit in the field on 16 January 1917. On 11 March 1917 John was admitted to the 107th Field Ambulance with tonsillitis. Following treatment here and at a casualty clearing station, he re-joined his unit on 25 March. Under two months later John was again admitted to a field ambulance, this time suffering with a fever. Having received five days of treatment he returned to his battalion in the field on 15 May 1917.

Following just under a year of further service with the 19th Battalion DLI, John was killed in action on 17 April 1918, at the age of 22. His original grave is only given by map reference, 57d. Q32. d.3.6. It was marked with a cross, and was with five other graves. In 1929, as part of the concentration of scattered graves, his body was moved to Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval. He is remembered on several memorials in his home town of Wolsingham. There is a plaque commemorating John in St. Mary and St. Stephen’s Church in Wolsingham with the following inscription: “In loving memory of Lance-Cpl. John Noble Lacey, 19th Bttn. Durham Light Infantry, only and dearly-loved son of John and Margaret Lacey of Wolsingham, who fell in action in France, 17th April 1918, aged 22 years. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Wolsingham Grammar School planted 18 oak trees during 1918 and 1919, each commemorating an old scholar at the school who lost their life serving in the First World War. The following inscription appears on a plaque by the trees: “These trees were planted in memory of Old Boys who fell in the Great War “non timidi pro patria mori”.

Civil Parish: Wolsingham

Birth date: 1896

Death date: 17-Apr-1918

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: East End, Wolsingham (1901,1911 Census, Service Records)

Education: Wolsingham Grammar School

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Apprentice Tailor (Service Records)

Family: Parents: John Lacey, Margaret Lacey

Military service:

12th Battalion, 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Lance-Corporal
Service Number 32131

Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval
Book of Remembrance 1914-18 DLI, Durham Cathedral
Roll of Honour 19th DLI, Durham Cathedral
Cross 1914-18 1939-45, Market Place, Wolsingham
Plaque 1914-18 1939-45, Wolsingham Grammar School
Photos 1914-18, Grammar School, Wolsingham
Trees 1914-18, Grammar School, Wolsingham
Plaque 1914-18 1939-45, St. Mary and St. Stephen’s Church, Wolsingham
Plaque Lacey 1918, St. Mary and St. Stephen’s Church, Wolsingham

Gender: Male

Contributed by Ryan Johnson and Harry Stephenson, Wolsingham School

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