1st Warwickshire Yeomanry, 8th November 1917
Synopsis of Life and Military Service
The following synopsis was added by Peter Stacey on his Great Uncle:-
Wallace Stacey was born in March 1892 at Westonzoyland, Somerset,
His Father and two brothers were Bricklayers, he chose to become a Blacksmith,
probably why he became a Shoeing Smith for the Warwickshire Yeomanry during his time in the Great War.
Wallace had nine siblings, one died at one year old, another died aged eight, after being kicked in the head by a horse.
Wallace enlisted with his two brothers, Charles and Alfred, they came home to continue the family building business.
Wallace Stacey was Killed In Action at Huj, Gaza, Egypt on the 8th November 1917 and is buried at Gaza War Cemetery.
Death
Wallace Stacey of the 1st/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry, 5th Mounted Brigade, Australian Mounted Division was killed in action on 8 November 1917 during a cavalry charge undertaken by the British Army at Huj, Palestine.
Family
The following was researched from the 1901 and 1911 Census. In the 1911 census, it tells us that there were 10 children and 3 had died.
- Father – Alfred Stacey, born c1865 at Westonzoyland, Occupation – Bricklayer.
- Mother – Eliza Hembrow or Stacey, born c1869 at Stoke St.Gregory, Somerset.
- Brother – Charles E. Stacey, born c1890, Occupation – Bricklayer.
- Brother – Alfred Stacey, born c1894, Occupation – Apprentice Bricklayer.
- Sister – Mina Stacey, born c1896 at Westonzoyland.
- Brother – Enoch Stacey, born c1900 at Westonzoyland.
- Brother – Levi Stacey, born c1900 at Westonzoyland.
- Sister – Dorothy Stacey, born c1905 at Westonzoyland.
- Sister – Vida, born c. September 1909, died aged 5 months.
Enoch and Levi were twins, although Levi is missing from the 1911 census. There is two children shown with the forename of Spencer, one is shown as the middle name of Job. The year of births were given as c1898 and also c1907, it can be assumed that the first one died and when another boy was born he was given the same first name.
Although it is not clear, it appears that Wallace may have had a child out of wedlock. There was a claim marked on his Pension Cards from a Florence Reed who is shown as the ‘Guardian’ of the child and also a comment of a ‘Refusal to Mother’, nothing further is known as to the age or sex of the child.
Addresses
The following addresses have been ascertained :-
- 1901 Census – No.3 Hamrod, Westonzoyland, Someset.
- 1911 Census – In the 1911 Census and after his death, the family are shown as residing at Lake Wall, Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, Somerset.
Medals
Wallace Stacey was awarded the Victory and British War Medals for his service in the Great War.
Memorials
Although he is not specifically mentioned on the memorials, he is honoured on the :-
- Westonzoyland WW1 War Memorial, Somerset.
- Warwickshire Yeomanry Memorial, St Mary’s Church, Warwick, Warwickshire.
He is however mentioned on the following memorial :-
- Westonzoyland Plaque, Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Main Road, Weston Zoyland, Sedgemoor, Somerset.
Links to Additional Information
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission – Wallace Stacey
- Lives of the First World War – Wallace Stacey
- A Street Near You – Wallace Stacey
- Find a Grave – Wallace Stacey
- Imperial War Museum – Westonzoyland War Memorial
- Imperial War Museum – Westonzoyland Plaque
References
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Medal Index Card
- Register of Soldiers Effects
- U.K. Soldiers Died in the Great War
- Medal Roll Corps of Hussars
- There were 2 Pension Ledgers but I could access on my platform.
- Imperial War Museum – Lives of the First World War
- The War Diaries for the Warwickshire for the Egyptian Campaign have not been digitised but can be read in person at the National Archive. The War Diary for the Gallipoli Campaign however are viewable via the Ancestry website.
Groups
Contributors:-
- Peter Stacey (Great Nephew)
- Vincent Stuart
WW1 LIVES 