Austin Stacey

Story:
Austin Stacey was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 11 Dec 1879 the son of Samuel Stacey and Caroline Stacey (nee Elsworth). He lived much of his early life in Shorts Green Lane, Motcombe. He had enlisted on 1 Jan 1898 with the 3rd Dragoon Guards Regiment as a Private (Service No. D/14121). He served in South Africa and India being awarded both the Queen's South Africa and King's South Africa Medals with clasps. He was discharged to the Reserves from 30 Oct 1905 to final discharge on 31 Dec 1909. Having returned to Motcombe where he was employed as an Estate Woodman he at some time after 1911 had re-enlisted joining the 2nd Dragoons becoming a Corporal (Service No. GS/12007). He married Jessie Flora Sangers in Canterbury, Kent, during 1916. Following the end of the conflict he was discharged and awarded the Victory and British War Medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 26 Norley Street, Canterbury, Kent, where he was working as a civilian Barrack Labourer for the Royal Army Service Corps. By the 1939 Register he had moved to 17 Royal Military Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, where he was still described as a Barrack Labourer. His death was recorded in Folkestone, Kent, during 1957.