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29 October 2024

The Story of the first of West Bridgford’s 203 World War 1 casualties - Rifleman 2952 Albert Charles Lacey

As Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day approaches, ceremonies and commemorations will once again take place at the war memorials which are located in so many of our villages, towns and cities across the United Kingdom. In West Bridgford (near Nottingham) our war memorial records the names of 203 young men who sadly perished during World War One.

One of those young men is Albert..C. Lacey who happens to be the only one of the 203 West Bridgford victims to be buried in his hometown churchyard of St Giles’s Church. He also happens to be the very first of the 203 recorded to have perished during the Great War, from West Bridgford.

His distinctive white gravestone is easily spotted as it stands out from the other tombstones in the cemetery and is inscribed “2952 Rifleman A C Lacey Kings Royal Rifle Corps 10th October 1914”. The date of Lacey’s untimely death is a mere two months from the start of the declaration of war. Well before the slaughter of the Somme, Ypres and Passchendaele. Indeed, Rifleman Lacey’s war would have been over even before the combatting armies had properly settled into their respective trenches.

Given so many of his contemporaries were to end up buried in a corner of a foreign field (or worse, have no known resting place), how, I wondered, did Rifleman Lacey come to be buried in my local churchyard?

My first thought was that he may have been part of the British Expeditionary Force which reached France in the early days of the war. Perhaps he had been wounded in battle and was brought home to have his wounds treated but succumbed to his injuries? An alternative explanation could have been that he meet with an accident while undergoing basic training and never got to the killing fields of Flanders.

I decided to investigate and look for further information. The local school children had done their bit by laying poppies at his grave. I went into our lovely ancient church of St Giles and had a good look around. Apart from a book of names and a commemoration plaque, I drew a blank. I paid a visit to West Bridgford library where I spent time leafing through the many books on local history. To my surprise, I could find no specific details about Lacey’s life or death and how he came to be buried at St Giles.
However, I found the following archive records of the local paper, the Nottingham Post:

“Albert Charles Lacey was born on the 15th December 1894, in London and was buried on October 15th, 1914 at St Giles Church, West Bridgford, aged 20. His parents' address was given as 124 Holme Road, West Bridgford. His employment at the time of joining up was given as simply ‘a clerk’. He joined the Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 7th September 1914, a mere five weeks after war had been declared. Albert was the only son of William George and Prothezer Mary Lacey”.

The records also show he had a sister - Ethel Mary at the same address.

Like so many others of his age, in the early stages of the War, young Albert had bravely answered his country’s call to arms at the first opportunity. He was probably excited at the prospect of going abroad to fight. He would have been told it was a great adventure and the opportunity of a lifetime. He wouldn’t have wanted to have missed out, thinking, like so many others, that the war would be over by Christmas.

Albert, in common with all new recruits, would have had to undergo basic training before being shipped out to France. In the case of the King’s Royal Rifle Corp this would have included weapons training, target practice, marching drills, route marches, PT and cross-country running. Albert was young and fit and had been in the Boy’s Brigade and the Nottingham Boat Club before enlisting so he would have been unlikely to be phased by the physical fitness requirements.

So, how was it that a mere 5 weeks after he joined up, Albert’s war was over?

On joining up, Albert would have also entered a very different world to that which he had been used to. He would have mixed with many other young men, in crowded dormitories, sleeping rough and getting soaked to the skin in an attempt to harden the new recruits up for the conditions which lay ahead. The concentration of these young men in the run up to winter, would have created ideal conditions for the spread of disease and illness. Of course, in 1914 there was no penicillin or other drugs which might have assisted recovery or prevented infections from spreading.

The army records show Rifleman 2952 A.C. Lacey died of pneumonia on October 10th1914 in Connaught Hospital, Farnborough, Aldershot. From there he was brought home to West Bridgford for burial. An article from the Nottingham Post archives reports on Albert’s funeral. By this account, it seems Albert’s untimely demise prompted a great turnout. His army pals; his friends from the Boat Club; the local Boy’s Brigade (where he had been a member) and assorted other local dignitaries including members of West Bridgford Council, all turned up to pay their last respects.

But given the rhetoric at the time and the pressure on young boys and men to volunteer, I couldn’t help wondering whether some of the lads who attended his funeral, far from being dissuaded, would have been actively encouraged to follow young Lacey’s example to join up for King and Country?

In St Giles’s Church there was a poignant memorial plaque in to Lieutenant P.N. Cooper of the Sherwood Foresters who died in France July 6th 1916 aged 21 on which is inscribed the following touching tribute:

“Given by his parents in recognition of the benefit and happiness he derived from the Boys Brigade.”

Had Lieutenant Cooper been a friend of Albert Lacey when both were members of the 8th Nottingham Boys Brigade in their formative years?

And what of Rifleman Lacey’s rowing club friends? How many of them do we find now commemorated on the plaque which adorns Trent Bridge and records for posterity the names of over 55 members (including Lacey) of the four Nottingham rowing clubs who never returned from the war?

Then there is the impact on his immediate family. From this distance, we can only imagine how the shocking news of young Albert’s death, when it came, would have affected his mother Mary, father, William and Ethel, his only sister? Did they even know their Albert had volunteered? Did they approve?

Albert had had a safe desk job as a clerk. The life of their beloved only son and brother so suddenly snuffed out …by pneumonia?

As the war took its grim toll over the four long years to come, unwanted telegrams and letters from the front would have arrived bringing more tragic news to the other 202 West Bridgford families whom we now know would have been similarly affected, did anyone come to feel, in the strange twisted logic of the time, that Mr and Mrs Lacey were in some respects, ‘lucky’ to be able to mourn their son at home when so many never made it back at all and that Albert had had a relatively peaceful death when compared to the horrors awaiting so many others at the western front?

Whatever, the circumstances, the result was the same. By a wicked twist of fate Rifleman 2952 Albert Charles Lacey was home - ‘back before Christmas’ to be buried in St Giles’s Churchyard, West Bridgford, the first of so many more who would be so deeply mourned by their friends and families.

One thing is certain: Albert did not die in vain. As we today stroll past his last resting place in St Giles’s Churchyard his gravestone reminds us all of the fragility of life and the futility of war.
Rest in Peace Rifleman 2952 Albert Charles Lacey. We, West Bridgford, remember you.

This is a poem I wrote in tribute to Rifleman 2952 Albert Charles Lacey:

Eh up – it’s me. Rifleman 2952 Albert C Lacey

Volunteered in September 1914, I may have been a bit hasty
“It’s all right Mum” I said, as I picked up rifle and pack
“It’ll be over by Christmas, I’ll come right on back”
I joined the Kings Rifles to fight ‘Kaiser Bill’
I did basic training and learned every drill
Target practice, fixing bayonets - pretending to kill
I was out in all weathers and caught quite a chill
but before it had got going, my war was all over
I was back in West Bridgford by the middle of October;
“You’re lucky” some said to my Mum through her grief
To mourn your son here must bring some relief?

Over here! Rifleman 2952 Albert C Lacey
St Giles’s churchyard, beneath dandelion and daisy
Here have I lain for a century and more
To remind passers-by, of the fragility of life and futility of war

© Rob Hann

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21 November 2020

This black and white illustrated book contains: . The original Edward Lear nonsense rhyme 'the Quangle Wangle's Hat' . A sequel 'the Quangle Wangle's Back! written by author Rob Hann. . A biography of Edward Lear's amazing life . . Illustrations by Howard Barton in the style of Edward Lear

Last year I entered a competition to pitch an idea to a panel of judges aimed at improving mental health. I entered hoping to persuade the audience and panel that my new children's book 'The Quangle Wangle's Back!' might help join up the generations through reading and rhyme, given the older generation are likely to have read poems by Edward Lear in their youth and by using the new book they could introduce Edward Lear's amazing creativity to a new generation of children. I was lucky enough to be among the winners on the night and this press release explains more.

Sadly, the Covid 19 pandemic and lockdown issues have, until recently, prevented me from getting the book into the public domain and it still remains difficult to find a practical way to achieve the original objectives whilst social distancing measures remain in place for safety reasons. Happily, the book is now available for sale here  on Amazon. My new employer, Sharpe Pritchard have also kindly sponsored a print run for charity and intend to distribute copies to a children's charity Kids Inspire which my firm supports. I also will make a donation to the wonderful Nottingham based charity Nottinghamshire hospice for their kind support during a difficult time for my family from proceeds of sale of the new book. 

I hope the book can spread a little cheer in these difficult times especially with Christmas approaching. 

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05 June 2020

Read more: 2020 New Guide to Local Authority Companies and Partnerships (LACAP)

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10 October 2019

Now available on Amazon

I am delighted to report that the new edition of my Guide to Local Authority Charging and Trading Guide for 2020 is now available for purchase. This edition has been supported by national law firm Freeths LLP. In addition to charting and explaining the legislation on charging, setting out a compendium of charging powers and including all public bodies so far designated under the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970, the 2020 Guide also contains an entirely new chapter of developing a methodology for exploring new opportunities for generating much needed income to support local services. 

To place an order please contact me with your details or see the Amazon link and purchase from there. The new book was launched at the Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) Commercialisation conference in London on the 15th November 2019 and all delegates attending took away a copy of the new guide to help spark new ideas for income generation, trading and charging sponsored by Freeths LLP. 

I am also publishing the new release of Local Authority Companies and Partnerships (LACAP) my one volume complete guide to LA companies and other bodies in November which fully updates the content in a fast moving world.  

Rob Hann November 2019 

Read more: 2020 edition of Local Authority Charging and Trading Guide

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20 June 2018

Number 1 stick Operation galia (c) Rob Hann left to right

• Pct Reg Everett (US Bronze Star)
• Lc/corp Stan Hann ('Spam')
• Pct Eric ('Lofty' Kennedy)
• Sgt Leonard 'Chalky' Wright MM
• Pct Johnny Johnson (Radio Operator Galia)

(c) Rob Hann

One of the really nice things about writing SAS Operation Galia, is that since publication many family members of the Galia squad have been in touch to kindly add their memories to the collective historic record.

On Father’s Day just gone (17^th June 2018) I was thrilled be contacted by the family of the late Sergeant Leonard ‘Chalky’ Wright MM. Sgt Wright was the NCO who led my Dad’s group (known as a ‘stick’) during the Galia Operation. They encountered enemy forces many times and faced great danger together during Galia and on other Ops.

The disbandment of the SAS so soon after the end of the war meant that many war-time SAS veterans lost touch with each other. My Dad never forgot his old comrade and on the few occasions he attended post war SAS re-unions he always hoped he would bump into Chalky again, but it was not to be. At a lunch attended by my father and Lofty Kennedy (also a member of Galia’s number 1 stick) in 1993, my Dad was told that Chalky Wright had been trying to contact ‘Spam’ for several years in the 1980s but Chalky had been writing to an old address and his letters never reached my Dad.

Whilst it is incredibly sad that these old soldiers never managed to meet up again and have a pint together, at least it has now been possible to bring them together once more through the pages of my book. It has been a huge and unexpected privilege for me to have made contact with the families of the Galia squad and to continue to discover new facts and information about the role their respective loved ones played in this incredible story of war-time bravery and hardship.

By way of tribute to Sgt Leonard ‘Chalky’ Wright the citation for his Military Medal received for his part in Operation Galia reads as follows:

“This NCO was a member of a troop dropped by parachute behind enemy lines on the 27^th December 1944. During the Operations lasting between the 27^th December 1944 to 20^th February 1945 the conduct of this NCO was outstanding. He was present during every major attack and his calm steady manner in the face of enemy fire and prompt obedience to all orders given by his officers whatever the dangers involved in carrying them out, cannot be too highly praised. He particularly distinguished himself on the 11^th January 1945 when taking part in an ambush on the Genoa-La Spezia Road near Bocca Del Pignone. Of the 30 Germans killed and wounded at least three were personally accounted for by him. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, in the face of accurate enemy fire, he calmly stayed in position directing the fire of an MMG. In Arctic conditions, his physical strength in carrying a member of the troop ill with pneumonia through deep snow drifts to safety, and his general conduct and leadership throughout the operation are worthy of the highest praise.”

Signed

R Walker Brown, Major

The trooper ill with pneumonia is almost certainly PcT Eric (Lofty) Kennedy who was in Chalky’s stick along with Spam, PcT Reg Everett and Corporal Johnson, the radio operator.

Reg Everett too was decorated by the US Army for his part in Galia. He received the American Bronze Star, a most unusual award for a serving British soldier. Reg’s family also got in touch with me in 2017.

Chi osa, vince – as the Italian partisans would say - “Who Dares Wins”.

Rob Hann

June 2018

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02 June 2018

LOCAL AUTHORITY COMPANIES AND PARTNERSHIPS – ‘LACAP’

My one volume loose-leaf book, LACAP has been in continuous publication since 1996 and has been updated twice yearly ever since. Naturally, over the course of this lengthy period there have been several changes to content, format and publisher. The 39^th updated issue sees another major change.

I am delighted that Hammicks the book sellers have kindly agreed to help market the availability of both titles across local government and the wider public sector. 

Read more: Local authority Companies and Partnerships

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10 November 2017

SAS Operation Galia Veteran - Sergeant Trevor Harrold’s Story

(c) rob hann

Author’s note – This blog  has been posted on armistice weekend 2017 as a tribute to the men of SAS Galia and to Trevor Harrold (now 96), an incredibly brave man. I had the great honour to meet ex-SAS Pct Sgt Trevor Harrold at his home in Essex recently after contact was made by Trevor’s son John. Surrounded by his SAS wartime memorabilia photographs and notes (including his still colourful silk escape map) we spent a fascinating afternoon hearing about Trevor’s SAS wartime service and, particularly, his role on SAS Operation Galia. Here is his story….

I was in the army reserve when the war started and volunteered with the local 409^th Territorial Army Group who, at the outbreak of war were operating as an Anti-Aircraft  (Ack Ack) Unit. In August 1939 that unit was called up for regular service. We were a mobile battery which travelled around the UK and were used to protect towns and cities which were coming under attack by the Luftwaffe. I reached the rank of Bombardier and then transferred to the Air Landing Brigade (Airborne Artillery). This group was part of the 11^th City of London Yeomanry, also known as the Rough Riders. This posting involved training in gliders. By 1943 I was with the Rough Riders in North Africa, Italy and Sicily. This mobile unit was responsible for maintaining Ack Ack cover to Allied airfields across those regions.

It was in the UK in late 1943 when I saw a notice go up in the canteen asking for volunteers to join the Special Air Service (SAS). It promised an extra shilling a week, which was a bonus worth having in those days. In order to be accepted into the SAS we first had to complete and pass parachute training, which was held in Chesterfield.

That was quite intensive and included jumping from barrage balloons and completing 8 jumps from Whitley bombers.   Having passed that our basic training took place extensively in Scotland (Troon, Prestwick) where we had to learn to live off the land, foraging for berries, roots and other food to sustain ourselves. We had to do a lot of PT and other fitness tests. Failure to complete the course would have meant being RTU’d (returned to unit).

After basic training I finally got my parachute wings on 14 April 1944 and joined the SAS on 26 May 1944, reverting to the rank of Private.

Read more: Story of Trevor Harrold SAS Galia Veteran

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14 September 2017

World War 11 Freedom Trails 

This great TV documentary series hosted by Monty Halls , (see link here) over four episodes, retraces extraordinary journeys as he treks the Freedom Trails of WWII, discovering what it took to escape Nazi Europe and meeting the ordinary men and women who became heroes in the process.

Read more: Channel 4 World War 11 Great Escapes

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12 June 2017

I am delighted that thanks to sponsorship from the East of England Local Government Association and help with updating from Browne Jacobson I am able to print a limited edition of the 2017 Local Authority Charging and Trading Guide. The Guide is an invaluable aid to all local authorities seeking to comply with legislation facilitating charging, trading and municipal enterprise. 

Read more: 2017 edition of Local Authority Charging and Trading Powers

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26 December 2016

The 27th December 2016 marks 72 years since 33 men from 2 SAS Squadron led by Captain Bob Walker Brown dropped in broad day-light deep into enemy territory in Northern Italy to link up with Partisans and take on the might of the Nazi forces. The parachute drop and subsequent guerilla tactics eventually succeeded in convincing Axis forces that a full parachute brigade of around 400 men had landed behind them. 

Over 6,000 front-line troops were diverted to hunt down the SAS. My book SAS Operation Galia is based on the information and accounts of those who took part, one of whom was my late Father, Stanley Hann. 

Now even 70 odd years on, information is still emerging including the wonderful photograph below (from the archive of Major Gordon Lett) which shows newly liberated Pontremoli in April 1945 with an SAS jeep in the background. One of those soldiers in the rear of the jeep is my Dad Stanley Hann and was probably taken just after SAS Operation Blimey. In 2016 I was also contacted by the grandson of one of my Dad's best friends on Galia - Reg Everett. Reg's grandson confirmed that Reg had been awarded the American Bronze Star for his actions on Galia - a very rare honour for a British soldier.

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11 December 2016

The GrumbleGroar has surfaced several times over 2016 in its home town of Nottingham. In July, the west bridgford wire scooped the first story about the discovery of a prehistoric fossil believed to be a rare GrumbleGroar tusk. Word soon spread that the GrumbleGroar had build a nest an incubation chamber below ground (as is to be expected) at the World famous Nottingham, City of Caves. Some brave souls were able to follow the mysterious sounds of this hitherto mythical creature in search for the GrumbleGroar hatchlings deep, deep, deep beneath the streets of Nottingham buried in the dark heart of the sandstone labyrynth.

Read more: 2016 "Year of the GrumbleGroar"

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20 October 2016

Hot on the heels of its succesful incubation period over the summer at the Nottingham City of Caves, the GrumbleGroar has now been spotted at David LLoyd West Bridgford, Nottingham where it will be nesting until it meets up with other monsters at the Halloween Kids Club event. Never before in the history of human-kind has such a creature been sighted but here it comes again - twice in the space of weeks and only in Nottingham. 

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25 May 2016

Mysterious underground beast 'the GrumbleGroar' rumoured to be nesting beneath the streets of Nottingham

Coming soon...Nottingham City of caves to open new children's visitor attraction over the summer 'the GrumbleGroar's Lair' - but only enter if you dare...

Read more: The GrumbleGroar is coming to Nottingham Caves

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17 May 2015

Newsflash from the mini beast league:

Hot on the heels of  sidney sneed's shock retirement announcement ,  the centipede star of the mini beast Premier League was spotted out on the town with ANtfield's Stevie Bee who also played his last game this weekend. Both players crashed the launch party of sidney's autobiography 'the Legend of Sidney Sneed' at Waterstones, Nottingham on Thursday night (14th May). Sid's agent and manager Rob Hann was explaining to the panel of specially selected dignitaries, that Sidney Sneed was seeking to become the mini beast league's first footballing ambassador to the human league. Sidney Sneed and Stevie Bee chose that moment to turn up worse for wear to thrust the book into the hands of one of the lady panel members singing "Don't you want me baby".

Read more: Mini Beast News Flash John Mothson reports...

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15 March 2015

John Mothson reports….

Sidney Sneed. Legendary right back, left back, goalie, midfielder and star striker of the mini-beast premier league - hangs up his boots.

Get full story of Sid's last game here

After glittering career which has seen him appear at all 92 of the football leagues grounds around the country (surely a record that will never be equalled?) and now rumoured to be in late middle age (in insect years) Sidney Sneed with his 100 or so legs, famously, became the only mini beast in the game to comprise a whole team single handed (or should that be ‘single legged’?)

Read more: Sidney Sneed Press Release

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29 January 2015

I was delighted to learn from United Press that my poem about a young WW1 soldier who died 100 years ago and is buried in my local church cemetery had made it onto the short list selected from over 11,400 entries nationwide. Unfortunately, the poem didnt win the top prize but it was nice to learn it had been in the running and it is destined for a wider audience (see below).  The competition required a poem of no more than 25 lines (160 words) on a local theme from my home town (West Bridgford in my case). 

Read more: United Press Poetry Prize

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10 January 2015

This photo is of the whole surviving Italy detachment of 2nd SAS taken September 1945.

Over the Christmas and New year break I was contacted by the grandson of Pct Harry Shanley, (always known as 'Jock' to his SAS mates) who took part in several SAS missions behind enemy lines, including Operation Galia. It was thrilling to hear from yet another family of the Galia squad but sadly I learned Harry had passed away on Christmas day aged 92.  I was aware of Harry's own web posting about Galia here -but whilst I tried, I never managed to make direct contact with him.  

Read more: Pct Harry (Jock) Shanley

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23 December 2014

The 27th December 2014 marks the 70th anniversary of the Galia mission when 33 SAS troops, led by captain Bob Walker Brown with his second in command Lieutenant James Riccomini parachuted into enemy held territory deep behind the lines in the Appenine Mountains of Northern Italy.  Fearing a repeat of Hitler's attack taking place in the Ardennes at the same time (now know as 'the Battle of the Bulge'). Galia was devised as a deception operation, to drop in broad daylight to deceive the enemy into thinking that a much larger force was landing. 

Read more: 70th anniversary of SAS Operation Galia

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14 December 2014

Here is an article about Lieutenant James Riccomini MBE, MC I wrote for the Nottingham Evening Post chronicling the adventures and heroics of the City's World War Two SAS hero. After taking part in SAS Operation Galia and leading his troop (among them my late father) back to the safety of the Allied lines, Riccomini immediately volunteered for another high risk mission behind enemy lines in Northern Italy. Tragically, it was to be his last. Here is another article about my more recent trip to Italy in 2014 to attend a commemoration service and dedicate a memorial to Operation Galia. 

Read more: Lieutenant James Riccomini

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28 November 2014

Have you ever wondered why there is a world war one gravestone in St Giles's cemetary? Who is Rifleman Lacey See here for the full story in the Nottingham Post .

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30 August 2014

The trip of a lifetime, we didn’t want it to stop;From Phuket to Phi Phi and then on to Bangkok;

Frantic and crazy and peaceful and calm; Just a taster of Asia, before Vietnam:

Read more: Thailand and Vietnam Trip

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24 July 2014

The Rossano Freedom Trail (‘the Trail’), organised by Brian Lett QC, son of the late Major Gordon Lett, who led the international brigade of partisans during the war after his escape as a POW in 1943, took place between 1^st and  6^th July 2014. The Trail commemorates the lives lost and the sacrifices made, both by Italians and Allied soldiers, in the cause of freedom against the Fascist and Nazi aggression during WWII. The day before the walk began was spent remembering the bravery of four young SAS men, who were executed by the Germans in contravention of the Geneva Convention.

Read more: The Rossano Freedom Trail