Fg Off A. F. Lacey DFM (195997) RAFVR

[jonny]

Chaps,

Regarding the award of the DFM to Flt Sgt (later Fg Off) Arthur Frederick Lacey RAFVR, of 156 (PFF) Sqn; does anyone have the relevant AM Bulletin that they could share with me please? Flt Sgt Lacey's DFM was announced in the London Gazette of the 17th of July 1945, the recommendation for which states:

"Flight Sergeant Lacey has completed 37 operational sorties, 19 of which have been with the Pathfinder Force. This N.C.O. is a reliable and efficient Navigator of above average ability. He has shown praiseworthy keenness and determination in carrying out his duties. He has a fine zest for operational work and can always be relied upon to produce the best results. Flight Sergeant Lacey has shown a loyalty and devotion to duty of a high order and I recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal."

He was ex 101 Sqn, but beyond the usual info from the LG and ORBs, I am really struggling to nail any biographical / background details for this individual.

Many thanks

Jonny

[Resmoroh]

Jonny, Hello,
Arthur Frederick Lacey
Births Q1 1911 Lacey, Arthur F, Edmonton 3a 650
Enlisted 1264668 (maths poss?) Jun 1940 (poss?) Uxbridge
26 Mar 1945 1264668 Flt Sgt A F Lacey Cmd Plt Off(p) RAFVR GD (195997)
17 Jul 1945 Award DFM, 156 Sqn.
26 Sep 1945 Prom Fg Off (WS)
23 Jan 1956 Relinquish as (A/ ?) Flt Lt
Deaths Q2 1981 Lacey, Arthur Frederick (b. 23JA1911) Andover 20 65

The Birth/Death is, probably, the same bloke. But whether it’s your bloke is only possible. And b. a year too early to get his Mother’s Maiden Surname on FREEBMD – so can’t find Parents!
Simon will probably nail him?
HTH
Peter Davies

[wwrsimon]

Peter

Yes, I did see him, but wasn't 100% sure.

According to a family tree on ancestry.co.uk Arthur Frederick Lacey was born on January 23 1911 at Edmonton, son of Benjamin Charles Lacey and Sarah Elizabeth Lacey, née Chaplin.

On the 1939 Register I found [as did Peter - see next post] Arthur F. Lacey, b 23 Jan 1911, living at 1 Albert Street, Southgate, Middlesex and working as an Insurance Agent.

No report of his D.F.M. in any newspapers, as far as I can see.

Regards

Simon

[Resmoroh]

Jonny,
Further:
1939 Registration Arthur F Lacey b. 23 Jan 1911 Male Insurance Agent Single 52 4
1 Albert Street, Southgate, Southgate M.B., Middlesex, England (imposing building at GE 51.533958 -0.141561 in what we would call, today, ‘multi-occupancy’??!).
15 Jun 1981 d. Abbots Ann, Hampshire (GE 51.189874 -1.531200 – RAF Thruxton only 3 miles away).
FMP seems to indicate a very strong possibility this bloke, and yr bloke, one and same?
HTH
Peter Davies

[jonny]

Thanks for taking the time to do this for me, chaps. The AMB might provide a vital clue, so fingers crossed that someone may have this.

All the best

Jonny

[jonny]

Just as a follow up, the AMB is of no help:

Lacey. AMB 19246 Serial 1182

Service number 1264668. Middle name Frederick. RAFVR.

"Royal Air Force Awards No. 1062 Part I Section 2: The following personnel have completed in various capacities, numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which they have invariably displayed the utmost courage, fortitude and devotion to duty."

"Flight Sergeant Lacey has recently been commissioned and is a navigator"

(that's the sum total of his bio from the AMB).

Back to the drawing board!