Martin Luther Lacey

Martin Luther Lacey (junior) was born at Arnold in 1889, the son of Martin Luther (senior) and Elizabeth Mary Lacey of Furlong Street, Arnold. Martin (senior) was born in 1866 at Loughborough, Leicestershire and worked as a framework knitter whilst Eliza was born in London in 1865. He had four brothers and sisters, Hannah born 1886,Robert born 1892, Edith born 1898 and Lawrence born 1900. He was married prior to the outbreak of the war to Florence Olive Lacey (nee Mees) of Edwards Cottages, Redhill Lane, Arnold, Nottingham. They were married on 10th September 1910 and had two children Cyril Arthur born March 1909 and Hubert Stanley born October 1918. He worked as a motor driver before enlisting. In the 1911 census the family were living at Blatherwicks Yard, Arnold and are shown as Martin Luther 23 yrs a bricklayers labourer, he is living with his wife Florence Olive 21 yrs and their son Cyril Arthur 2 yrs In the same 1911 census his parents and siblings are living at Seven Stars Yard, Calverton Road, Arnold and are shown as Martin Luther 45 yrs a frame work knitter, he is living with his wife Elizabeth Mary 46 yrs and their children, Edith Mary13 yrs a hosiery mender, Laurence Herbert 11 yrs a scholar and Margaret Florence 7 yrs a scholar. At the time of his death his family were living at Edwards Cottages, Redhill Lane, Arnold his widow Florence Olive was awarded a pension of 27 shillings and 11 pence a week which commenced on 19th May 1919.

He was employed as a motor driver

Sergeant Martin Lacey attested at Avonmouth on 8th August 1914, he gave his age as 26 yrs and 110 days his medical records indicate that he was six feet tall and weighed 160 lbs and had a chest measurement of 42 inches. He arrived in France on 18th August 1914 and was posted to 4th Division supply column. He was appointed acting Lance Corporal on 13th July 1915. On 5th Sept 1915 he was made up to acting corporal and on 18th October 1915 was promoted to acting sergeant and finally to full sergeant on 6th March 1916. He served throughout the war but became ill and was sent to 30th General Hospital in France. He died of influenza two days before fighting ceased on 9th November 1918. He is buried at Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangate, France At the time of his death he was serving with the 50th Auxiliary Bus Corp of the Army Service Corps

Obituaries published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 16th November 1918 :- “LACEY. – Sgt. M. L. Lacey, M/S, 2692, M.T.A.S.C., died of influenza, in France, November 9th, 1918, aged 30. God will link the broken chain closer when we meet again. – From sorrowing wife and children, Red Hill-rd., Arnold. “LACEY. – Died of influenza, in hospital, November 9th, 1918, Sgt. M. L. Lacey Cherished memories, shattered hopes. – Father, mother, three sisters, sister-in-law, also Robert and Laurence (with the colours). “LACEY. – Died in France, of influenza, November 9th, 1918, Sgt. M. L. Lacey. As a man he nobly died. – From uncle Will, aunt Sarah, cousins Sarah, Lilian (in France), and Winnie.” In memoriam published 9th November 1920 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “LACEY. – In ever-loving memory of my dear husband, Luter, late Sergt. in A.S.C., who passed away at 30th General Hospital, Calais, November 9th, 1918, after four years and three months' service abroad. Gone from our home, how we miss him, loving him dearly his memory we'll keep, nto so long as life lasts shall we ever forget him, but oh, how we long to know where he sleeps. – Loving wife and children. “LACEY. – In loving memory of Sergt. M. L. Lacey, of Arnold, who died of influenza, at Calais, on November 9th, 1918, after 4¼ years service. Only those who have loved and lost can understand war's bitter cost. Sadly missed by sorrowing mother, father, sisters and brothers Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918