Private Harry Lacey

Australian Infantry AIF - WWI

 


Service Number: 3815

29th Bn Australian Infantry

Born: December 1897 in Chardstock, Devon, England

Date of death: 26 September 1917,  age 20

Status: KIA

 

Buried in Buttes New British Cemetery, Belgium Plot XVIII. C. 5.

"R.I.P."  


Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal


BIOGRAPHY

Harry was the 4th of 6 children of Charles Absalom Lacey ° 1865 - May 11, 1908 and

Elizabeth Lane, °1868 Thorncombe, Dorset, England - 10 Sep 1955  Honiton, Devonshire, England

 

3 brothers and 2 sisters

  1. Thomas William Lacey (1893–1972) Wisham, Somerset, England
  2. James Lacey (1895–1987) Wisham, Somerset, England
  3. George Lacey (1896–1978) Chardstock, Devon, England
  4. Harry Lacey (1897-1917) Chardstock, Devon, England
  5. Florence Anna Lacey (1899–1996) Chardstock, Devon, England
  6. Amy Amelia Lacey (1908-)

 

He worked as a farm labourer and was single.  Since his father died his mother Elizabeth was the Next Of Kin.

 

1916

11th July 1916, enlisted into the AIF, at the age of 18 years and 8 months, in Melbourne, Vic

Height: 5 feet 3/4 inches (1,75m)

Weight: 140 lbs (63,50 kg)

Fresh complexion

Eyes: grey

Hair: fair

 

18 Jul 1916: S.M.O. Camp Geelong

19 Sept 1916: embarked in Melbourne on the "S.S. Commonwealth"

14 Nov 1916:  disembarked in Plymouth, UK

 

17 Dec 1916: Proceeding overseas to France per "S.S. Golden Eagle", from Folkstone

18 Dec 1916: marched in from England - Etaples

23 Dec 1916: marched out to unit and taken on strength 29th Bn, Ex 9th Reinforcement 29th Bn

 

1917

23 March 1917: wounded in action and admitted with GSW to his back to C.C. Station

25 March 1917: admitted to the 4th Ambulance Train

26 March 1917: admitted with GSW to his back to Conv. Depot, Rouen

15 - 18 April 1917: admitted to Base Depot - Rouen

21 April 1917: marched in from Rouen - Etaples

26 May 1917: marched out to unit - Etaples

26 May 1917: Rejoined unit, Ex Wounded

26 Sept 1917: Posted Missing in Action

"Patricia Camp" near Abeele, received his paybook, wallet and false teeth.  They were handed in by a man from A. Company, all this was sent to "Chesire Camp".

 

Private Harry Lacey was killed in action during the attack on the 26th of September 1917. He was initially buried in the field near the Racecourse in Polygon Wood. His remains were exhumed after the war and were interred in Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood.

 

1918

4 March 1918: "Pte - Previously reported MISSING now pronounced KILLED IN ACTION by Court of Inquiry.


On Tuesday 26 September 2017 I attended the Australian ceremonies for the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Polygon Wood and planted a tree in the "Wood of Peace" in honour of Private Harry Lacey, a very moving moment.

 


MILITARY RECORDS

 

NAA_ItemNumber7375608
PDF – 3,5 MB
Roll of Honour
PDF – 100,3 KB
Australian Red Cross
PDF – 202,2 KB