Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

21 March - 4 July 1918. The Battles of the Somme in 1918 were mostly concerned with stemming the German advance which started in March 1918 and which made considerable gains in the Somme/Arras sector. Utilising surplus troops which had become available following the surrender of Russia after the October Revolution, the Germans gambled on a massive campaign that could win the war in the west before the USA could bring its resources to bear. Initial gains were in places spectacular but eventually dogged resistance coupled with supply problems and sheer exhaustion closed down the battle. Other attacks were launched along the front to probe the Allied defences but the same pattern of initial gains followed by stalemate prevailed. British casualties were almost 345,000.

Detail :

150801 Gunner William Victor Lacey, Royal Garrison Artillery.

Probate LACEY William Victor of Tranmere Penwortham Preston Lancashire gunner 13th siege battery Royal Garrison Artillery died 21 March 1918 in France or Belgium killed in action Administration (with Will) Lancaster 24 Effects £395 17s. 6d.

Masonic :

Initiated into Lodge of Unanimity in 1914 before the war began. He was a Manager resident at Penwortham. His contribution record shows that he is "Killed in Action 21st March 1918."

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley