'Messines Offensive - 7th to 9th Junes 1917. This man in company with Private Laichbury, in the attack on the Messines Ridge on the 7th June worked together as stretcher bearers. Throughout the engagement their conduct was marked by absolute devotion to duty of the highest type. They were untiring in their attention to the wounded, and during the early stages of the advance worked continuously for 36 hours bandaging the wounded, and carrying them back. During this period they did not rest for more than a few minutes to take their meals. The amount of work done was colossal. They were obviously actuated throughout by a lofty sense of duty. Their self-sacrificing spirit was freely discussed by the whole company.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 16 August 1917

Regimental number	13946
Date of birth	27 May 1881
Place of birth	Waikaia
Religion	Presbyterian
Occupation	Miner
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	34.9
Height	6' 0"
Weight	154 lbs
Next of kin	Mother, Mrs M.W. Lacey, Irk Street, Gore
Previous military service	Served in the 7th and 9th Contingents, NZ Mounted Rifles, Boer War.
Rank on embarkation	Private
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 14th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion, D Company
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 26 June 1916
	The infantry component of the 14th Reinforcements left New Zealand on board two ships, 'Maunganui' and 'Tahiti'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
Final rank	Private
Final unit	2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
Fate	Killed in Action 3 August 1917
Age at death	36
Commemoration details	Messines Ridge (New Zealand) Memorial, Belgium
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Parents: the late Richard & Mary Wynyard Lacey. Native of Waikaia, Invercargill
Medals	Military Medal 'Messines Offensive - 7th to 9th Junes 1917. This man in company with Private Laichbury, in the attack on the Messines Ridge on the 7th June worked together as stretcher bearers. Throughout the engagement their conduct was marked by absolute devotion to duty of the highest type. They were untiring in their attention to the wounded, and during the early stages of the advance worked continuously for 36 hours bandaging the wounded, and carrying them back. During this period they did not rest for more than a few minutes to take their meals. The amount of work done was colossal. They were obviously actuated throughout by a lofty sense of duty. Their self-sacrificing spirit was freely discussed by the whole company.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 16 August 1917
Other details	War service: Western Front Embarked Wellington on board HMNZT 'Maunganui', 26 June 1916; forfeited 1 day's pay, and fined 4/-, at sea, 5 August 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 22 August 1916, and marched in to Sling Camp, 23 August 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 26 September 1916; joined 2nd Bn, Otago Infantry Regiment, in the field, and posted to 8th Company. Awarded Military Medal. Detached to Summer Rest Camp, 15 July 1917; rejoined Bn, in the field, 30 July 1917. Killed in action, 3 August 1917. Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Sources	Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 34, p. 14 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 20521323