Herts at War - a community led project to commemorate the diverse experiences of Hertfordshire during the First World War.

Name

Stephen [John] Stacey
24/03/1889

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

26/05/1916

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Corporal
10971
Canadian Infantry
4th Bn.

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

Searched but not found

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

CHESTER FARM CEMETERY
II. B. 1.
Belgium

Headstone Inscription

No Headstone Inscription

UK & Other Memorials

Not on any Oxhey Memorials, Not on any Watford Memorials, Canadian Virtual War Memorial (CVWM)

Pre War

Stephen Stacey was born in Lewknor, Oxfordshire, on 24th March 1889, son of James Stacey, a Gardener and Louisa Elizabeth Stacey, (nee West). One of twelve children two died in childhood, William (Born 1883), James (B 1884), Harry (B 1885), Bertha (B 1886), Sarah (B 1888), Frederick (B 1893), Arthur (B 1895), Nellie (B 1899), and Albert (B 1902).

By 1891 the family had moved to Watford and the Census records Stephen aged 2, living with his parents and five siblings in Red Lion Yard, Watford.

He attended Red Lion Yard Infants School and Watford Beechen Grove Board School.

1901 Census records Stephen aged 12, living with his parents and 6 siblings at 33 Cannon Road, Watford.

In January 1904, he enlisted in the Militia for 6 years, to the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, with the service number 4783. Giving his age as 17 years and address 35, Cannon Road, Watford Fields, Watford, and occupation Labourer.

In 1907 Stephen emigrated to Canada using the name John Stacey. The 1911 Canadian Census records a [John] Stacey, aged 22, living in St Malachie d’Ormstoun, Quebec, Canada.

Wartime Service

He enlisted at Valcartier, Quebec, Canada, on 22nd September 1914, in the 4th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, (1st Central Ontario Regiment). Aged 25, single, a Farmer, and next of kin given as his mother Louisa Stacey, living in Leicester, England. He obtained the rank of Corporal. [John] was killed in action on 26th May 1916, he is buried in the CWGC Chester Farm Cemetery in Belgium.

Additional Information

His effects were left to his mother Louisa Stacey. Both his service records (1904 & 1914) can be found on the internet. His brother Serjeant 103106 James Stacey was killed in action on the 16th April 1918.

Acknowledgments

Stuart Osborne