Military Chat

I have photo which might be Charles in Army uniform, Royal field artillery possibly. He looks like an officer astride his horse.
This is based on the writing on the back which is "To May with fond love from Charlie", May being a sister.
I wonder if anyone can find any military record of him at all.
His parents were Edward and Clara, and his wife Ethel.
Thank you.

Is this your Lacey family??

1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
Cottage, South Stoneham, Hampshire, England

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Edward Lacey Head Married Male 43 1858 Coachman (Domestic) Newark, Nottinghamshire, England
Clara Lacey Wife Married Female 42 1859 - Hawick, Suffolk, England
Charles Lacey Son Single Male 10 1891 - Colchester, Essex, England
Bertie Lacey Son Single Male 8 1893 - Colchester, Essex, England
Dorothy Lacey Daughter Single Female 5 1896 - Hampshire, England
Evelyn Lacey Daughter Single Female 3 1898 - Shirley, Hampshire, England

Looks like it - Issay aged 8 is actually May - the lettering is very "flowery"
(Reported to FMP)

1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
22 Southampton Road Salisbury, New Sarum, Wiltshire, England

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Occupation Age Birth year Birth place
Edward Lacey Head Married Male Coachman Domestic 52 1859 Newark Notte
Clara Lacey Wife Married Female - 52 1859 Ipswich Suffolk
Charles Lacey Son Single Male Groom Domestic 20 1891 Colchester Essex
Dorothy Lacey Daughter Single Female - 15 1896 Netley Hampshire
Evelyn Lacey Daughter - Female School 13 1898 Shirley Hampshire
Issay Lacey Daughter - Female School 8 1903 Swaythling Hampshire

Parents married 26 years. 7 children born 1 has died

Yes that's the family thanks.

I can't find army records for him but this looks like the family in the 1939 register:-

Lacey Household (4 People)
25 Romsey Road , Southampton C.B., Hampshire, England

FIRST NAME(S) LAST NAME(S) DOB SEX OCCUPATION MARITAL STATUS

Charles Lacey 09 May 1890 Male Wharf Labourer Heavy Worker Married
Ethel Lacey 18 Nov 1888 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Married
Clara A Lacey 14 Oct 1852 Female Incapacitated Widowed
May C Hughes (Lacey) 08 May 1902 Female Seamstress Own Accountant Single

Kath. x

Around 70% of WW1 Service records were destroyed during WW2

Medal cards were stored elsewhere so do survive , but unless you know the service number for Charles there isn't a sure fire way of identifying any particular one as yours. There are many for men by the name of Charles Lacey

There is this one from the Royal Horse Artillery, but not yours for certain. This is from Ancestry who have copies of the originals, but very little further info, except that he was a Driver with the RHA

Name: Charles Lacey
Regiment or Corps: Royal Horse Artillery
Regimental Number: 612424

Awarded British and Victory Medals

Maybe the Regimental museum could help?

This from FMP - transcription only
Medal Index Cards Transcription

First name(s) Charles
Last name Lacey
Service number 612424
Rank Driver
Corps Royal Horse Artillery
Service record Soldier Number: 612424, Rank: Driver, Corps: Royal Horse Artillery
Archive reference WO372/11
Archive reference description Campaign Medal Index Cards and Silver War Badge Cards
Country Great Britain
Image link http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D3278984 <<<<<
Record set World War One British Army medal index cards
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory First World War
Collections from Great Britain

<<<<< You can download a copy from the NA site

Thank you everyone for your help.

his service record is on Ancestry. it's a bit fuzzy but you can pick out , quite a bit of info. ie Address, age postings etc

Thanks very much!!