Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Twaites Lakey a general labourer, born 1848 in St. Faith’s, Norwich, Norfolk, and his wife Lucy Ann Lakey (nee Peasgood, married on the 25th May 1879 in St. Mary’s Church, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire), born 1860 in Melton Mowbray. John Robert Lakey was born in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in Melton Mowbray, his siblings were, Edith Florence, born 1881, Gertrude Annie, born 1884 and Mabel, born 1886, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in April 1891 the family home was at 46, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray. John’s mother died aged 39 in the 4th quarter of 1900 in the Leicester district. In March 1901 John was employed as a bookbinding apprentice and was residing in the family home at 21, Algernon Road, Melton Mowbray, together with his widowed father, an Urban District Council labourer and siblings, Edith, Mabel and James Arthur, born 1897 in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at 14, Chapel Street, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his widowed father, a labourer, and his siblings, Edith, Mabel and James, a general shoe trade worker, John was employed as a bookbinder and was residing as a boarder at 38, Houghton Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire. Although officially recorded at birth as John Robert, he seems to have always used his second Christian name of Robert.
Robert enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 21st November 1914 in Melton Mowbray, and was allotted the service number 3394. He gave his age as 27 years 120 days and his present address as 14, Chapel Street, Melton Mowbray
His medical examination took place in Melton Mowbray on the 21st November 1914 and recorded that he was 5 feet 5 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34½ inches.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Robert Lakey, 14, Chapel Street, Melton Mowbray.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. The Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 21/11/14.
Posted. To 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Embodied service commenced. 21/11/14.
Embarked. Southampton per S.S. Queen Alexandria. To join British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/6/15. Disembarked. Rouen. 30/6/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 12/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 21/11/14 – 28/6/15. 220 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 29/6/15 – 12/9/15. 76 days.
Total Service. 296 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Robert’s surviving service record amounts to a total of sixteen pages, of which only eight pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in extremely poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 12 Sept-15 - TRENCHES. Between 3.25 and 5.00pm 49. 50. and A1. bombarded with 6 inch shells. Considerable damage done to trenches. Officers wounded by shell fire Captain J. L. GRIFFITHS, 2nd Lieutenant R. B. FARRER, slightly wounded to duty Lieutenant E. G. LANGDALE.
On Friday September 24th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE LOCAL TERRITORIAL CASUALTIES. – TWO MELTONIANS KILLED. We regret that the ranks of our local Territorials arriving at the front have been further reduced, and two more Meltonians have been killed, in addition to several wounded. One is Private Russell Hubbard, 141, Thorpe road, Melton Mowbray. Deceased who was 22 years of age last June, was employed for about five years at the shoe factory, being subsequently engaged as shop porter at Messrs. Garner and Sons’, ironmongers. When war was declared he had gone to Bridlington with the 5th Leicesters (Territorials) for their annual fortnight’s training, and went out to France with them last February. He was killed last Sunday week by a shell which also wounded several other Melton Territorials. The news of his death was conveyed to his parents by the following letter:- “Dear Mr. Hubbard. - It is with deepest regret that I write to tell you of your son’s death. He was killed by a shell on Sunday mid-day, and died as brave a death as any soldier could. He was greatly respected by all the rest of the Company, and please accept the deepest sympathy from me and from them in your great loss. Yours Sincerely, F. E. Wynne, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased’s eldest brother Pte. Archibald Hubbard, who is serving with the same regiment, wrote home as follows:- “September 15th. Dear Mother and Dad, and sisters. - Just a few lines to say I received your parcel all right, and to thank you. I do not know how to write these few lines, but I am very sorry to say that we have lost poor old Russ. On Sunday we had a terrible day, but I am pleased to say he died nobly doing his duty like an Englishman. We buried him nicely at night behind the lines. Bill Roper one of the burial party, Corpl. Boulger, and myself went last night and trimmed it up a bit. We shall make a wreath of evergreens and put on it. The chaplain came up and read the service for us. Well, dear mother, I cannot write much more this time, as I feel about done up. May God watch over and protect you, and give you strength to stand this awful blow. It is a big blow to me, and I know it will be a bigger one to you. Kiss Regg and Lott for me, and accept same yourself. That is all this time, with love from your loving son. Arch. P.S. – We come out of the trenches on Tuesday night for six days.” Private R. Lakey, son of Mr. Robert Lakey, 14, Chapel street, Melton Mowbray was also killed the same day. He served his apprenticeship as bookbinder at Mr. J. W. Warner’s, 11 years ago, then took a situation in Lincoln. After that he had various other engagements and when the war broke out was employed by Mr. Stacey, printer and bookbinder, Leicester. Deceased enlisted in the 2/5th Leicesters (Territorials), and went out with the second draft from Luton. Last Friday his father received the following letter. – “Dear Mr. Lakey. – It is with deepest regret that I write to tell you of your son’s death. He was killed by a shell on Sunday morning early, and died as brave a death as any soldier could. He was greatly respected by the rest of the company, and please accept the deepest sympathy from me and from them in your great loss. Yours sincerely. F. E. Wynne, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased’s sister Mrs. J. W. Coulson, received the following letter from Sergt. Dobson. “September 16th. Dear Madam. – Just a line to let you know the sad death of your brother Bob. It came as a big blow to us because the little time he had been with us he had been much liked by all and I am only expressing the feelings of No.6 Platoon in this letter. He got killed by a shell exploding near him, and death must have been instantaneous. Several of the company laid him to rest at the back of the line. I am sure while we are in this place his grave will be well looked after. Poor old Bob! I knew him before the war, and I was surprised when he joined us, but I can safely say he always did his duty, and was always very cheerful. Please accept my deepest sympathy. I expect all his personal belongings will be sent home. I remain, yours sincerely. H. Dobson.” Quartermaster-Sergt. W. Wade wrote as follows to deceased’s brother:- “Dear Sir. – I am returning your letter which is addressed to your brother Bob. I think you have most probably heard the sad news about him. I knew him all his life. He had not been with us many days, but he was a favourite with everyone. He will be missed amongst us all. He was in a dug-out and got it blown in with a shell, and he was buried. All the men sympathise with you in your loss, and please accept my sympathy. Yours sincerely. W. Wade.” In addition to the above, several local Territorials in the same company were wounded by shells about the same time. Pte. Frank Cooke of Melton, was wounded in the calf of one of his legs, Pte. Brown of Melton, was badly wounded in the shoulder and Pte. Leach of Melton, sustained a wound in the body one of his ribs being broken. Lance-Corpl. A. Birch, of Melton, had the drums of both ears burst, causing complete deafness, and Pte. Armstrong, of Sewstern was wounded in four places – one calf, both thighs, and a scratch at the back of the head. And in the same edition under the heading, “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – KILLED IN ACTION. LAKEY. – On the 12th inst. Pte. R. Lakey, son of Mr. Robert Lakey, of Melton Mowbray, aged 32 years.
On Saturday September 25th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The parents of several Melton Mowbray Territorial’s have been notified of recent casualties to their sons serving with the 5th Leicester’s. Mr. R. Lakey, 14, Chapel-street, has received a letter from Lieut. E. E. Wynne stating that his son, Pte. R. LAKEY, was killed by a shell, which buried him in a dug-out. Pte. Lakey, who was 32 years of age, joined the 2/5th Leicester’s on the outbreak of the war, and went out with the second draft from Luton. He was employed as a bookbinder by Mr. Stacey, of Leicester.
Mr. J. Hubbard, 141, Thorpe-road, Melton, received a similar notification respecting his son, Pte. RUSSEL HUBBARD, also of the 5th Leicester’s, who was killed by a shell which burst in the trench. Several other Melton Territorial’s were wounded, including Lance-Corporal BIRCH, and Pte’s. BROWN, LEACH, and F. COOKE, and Pte. ARMSTRONG of Sewstern, all members of B Company.
On Friday September 15th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. LAKEY. – In loving memory of Pte. E. Lakey, of Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action on September 12th, 1915. Could we have watched him at the last. Around his dying bed. Or felt the last grip of his hand. Or held his drooping head. Our hearts would not have felt such pain. Or bitterness and grief. But God had ordered for the best. And now he rests in peace. From Father, Brothers and Sisters.
On Friday September 14th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. LAKEY.- In loving memory of Pte. Robert Lakey, Leicester’s, killed in action on Sept. 12th 1915. He nobly answered duty’s call. He gave his life for one and all. Gone from our home, but never from our hearts. From Father, Brothers and Sister.
On Friday September 13th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. LAKEY. – In loving memory of Pte. B. Lakey, Leicester’s, killed in action Sept. 12th 1915.
Ever in our thoughts, from Father, Brothers and Sister.