William John Stacey

Story:
William John Stacey was born in Bournemouth, Dorset, on 2 Jul 1886 the son of Uriah Stacey, originally from Shaftesbury, Dorset, and Emma Stacey (nee Wareham).  He spent his early life in Kinson, Dorset and later on Branksome, Dorset, until he married Bertha Ellen Brockway at the Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 2 Aug 1911 and set up home at 3 Barton Hill, Shaftesbury.  He enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps on 2 Jan 1917 as Private (Service No. 52593).  He was automatically transferred to the Royal Air Force on it's formation on 1 Apr 1918 and held the rank of Acting Corporal (Fitter).  He was discharged on 14 Feb 1919 having qualified for the Victory and British War Medals.  The 1921 Census shows him living at 9 Melbourne Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, and later by the time of the 1939 Register at 'Hillcrest', 25 Hill View Road, Ensburgh Park, Bournemouth, Dorset, working as a Collector of Gas Accounts and Water Rates for the Bournemouth Gas & Water Company.  His death was recorded in Bournemouth on 25 Jan 1981.