Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Currall Quincey, a county court bailiff, born in the July quarter of 1850 in Wadenhoe, Northamptonshire and baptised on the 11th August 1850 in St. Michael & All Angel’s Church, Wadenhoe (son of Josiah Quincey, 1827-1917 and Mary Currall, 1823-1899) and his wife Emma Quincey (nee Pinfold, married on the 12th October 1876 in St. Botolph’s Church, Farnborough, Warwickshire), born in the July quarter of 1852 in Williamscote, Oxfordshire (daughter of William Pinfold, 1821-1904 and Anne Ward, 1827 of Shank Cottage, Farnborough, Warwickshire). John Stanley was born in the July quarter of 1893 in Market Bosworth and baptised on the 3rd September 1893 in St. Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth, his siblings were Lilian Kate, born on the 28th March 1882 and baptised on the 29th June 1882 in St. Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth, Sydney Ward, a pupil teacher, born in the October quarter of 1883 and baptised on the 27th February 1884 in St. Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth, Ethel Maria, born on the 30th September 1885, Thomas Percival, born in the April quarter of 1888 and baptised on the 30th April 1888 in St. Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth, Dennis Gilbert, born on the 25th April 1890 and baptised on the 1st June 1890 in St. Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth, Kenneth Gordon, born on the 25th March 1896 and baptised on the 3rd May 1896 in St. Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth and Arthur Raymond, born in the April quarter of 1900 and baptised on the 3rd June 1900 in St. Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth and who died aged 8 years in January 1909 and was interred on the 9th January in Market Bosworth, all his siblings were born in Market Bosworth, in March 1901 the family home was at Station Road, Market Bosworth.
In April 1911 John was employed as an assistant clerk and was residing in the family home at Station Road, Market Bosworth, together with his father, a county court clerk, his mother and siblings, Ethel, Thomas, an assistant bailiff and Kenneth, a schoolboy.
John’s older brother Sydney, was medically discharged from the Army in October 1918 and died of tuberculosis in February 1921.
FAMILY NOTE: John also had the following siblings, William Pinfold, born in the October quarter of 1878 in Northampton and who died aged 29 years, in February 1908 and was interred on the 18th February in Market Bosworth, Mary Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born on the 26th March 1880 in Aylestone, Leicester and Elsie Emma, born in the October quarter of 1891 in Market Bosworth and baptised on the 6th December 1891 in St. Peter’s Church, Market Bosworth and who died aged 5 years in April 1897 and was interred on the 3rd April in Market Bosworth.
John enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 5th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 12775. He gave his place of birth as Market Bosworth, Leicestershire and age as 21 years 2 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as postal clerk. He gave his present address as lodgings in Leicester.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 5th September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, declared age as 21 years 2 months, trade or occupation as postal clerk, that he was 5-feet 10 inches in height, weighed 136 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=D6. L.E.-V=D6. Enlisted at [not recorded] on the [not recorded]. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 12775.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 21 years 2 months, height 5-feet 10¼ inches weight 136 lbs, chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was dark brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar left knee. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 5th September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Thomas Currall, mother Emma, Market Bosworth. Brother (o) Sydney Ward, Kibworth Beauchamp. Brother (o) Dennis Gilbert, c/o Goodwin, Foster Brown, -?-.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 5/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/9/14.
Posted. To 8th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Aldershot. Pte. 24/9/14.
Posted. To Perham Down Camp. 8/4/15.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Admitted. To 48th Field Ambulance, enteritis. In the Field. 21/8/15.
Transferred. To Northern Casualty Clearing Station. Hazebrouck. 25/8/15.
Admitted. To 22nd General Hospital, Etaples. 27/8/15.
Transferred. To Convalescent Camp Base Details. Etaples. 10/9/15.
Rejoined. 8th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 22/10/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (unpaid). In the Field. 3/1/16.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). In the Field. 15/5/16.
Appointed. Acting Corporal. In the Field. 15/7/16.
Appointed. Acting Lance Sergeant (paid). In the Field. 16/7/16.
Confirmed. In the rank of Corporal. In the Field. 22/9/16.
Killed in action. In the Field. 25/9/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 5/9/14 – 28/7/15. 327 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 25/9/16. 1 year 59 days.
Total Service. 2 years 21 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 24-30 Sep-16 - East of TRONES WOOD. About 7.00pm on the 24th the Battalion marched up to take a position prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting. At 12.30pm on the 25th the first attack was launched, the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT being in a position on the right of FLERS. The objective was the first German line, a distance of about 1000 yards from the trench from which the Battalion launched the attack. The attack was made in waves, each platoon forming a wave, and 2 waves going over at a time. The attack was launched with splendid heroism, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate their gain, and to allow the artillery barrage to lift. They then pressed on to their second objective which was the village of GUEDECOURT. By the time they reached the village their ranks were sadly thinner, by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Never the less with dauntless gallantry they pressed on reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting, which took place all the night. In the morning the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in the village, and the enemy were finally driven out. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were brought back to the second line of trenches, where they were relieved by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT on the 28th. They then went back to SWISS TRENCH where they remained until relieved on the night of October 1st.
On Thursday October 12th, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 4, under the heading. – Leicester Post Office Employee Killed. – Mr. Thomas C. Quincey, clerk at the Market Bosworth County Court Office, has received private information from France that his fifth son, Sergeant John Stanley Quincey, of the Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 25th September. He was 22 years of age, and enlisted shortly after the outbreak of the war. He was a sorting clerk and telegraphist at the Leicester General Post Office, and on enlisting rapidly rose to the rank of sergeant, being appointed to a Machine Gun Section. His father on Wednesday heard from a comrade of the deceased that he was killed in a charge when they took a German second trench, being shot and dying instantly. Three brothers are soldiering. One is in the Royal Engineers in Egypt, another in Macedonia, serving in the Royal Bucks Light Infantry and the other is in Ireland, a quartermaster in the Leicester’s. The four sons joined the army about the same time.
On the 17th June 1919, John’s father, Thomas Currall Quincey, of Market Bosworth, Nuneaton was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of five shillings, commensurate on the 6th November 1918.
[recognitum XI-X-MMXXIII]

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 13th, 1916

COALVILLE AND DISTRICT CASUALTIES

Mr T. C. Quincey, County Court clerk at Market Bosworth, on Wednesday received news that his fifth son, Sergeant John Stanley Quincey, of the Leicesters, was killed in action in France, on September 25th. He was 22 years of age, and before the war worked in Leicester Post Office. He is an old Bosworth School boy and three brothers are now serving in the forces – in Egypt, Macedonia and in Ireland. He is the second Market Bosworth boy to be killed, the other being a son of Mr Shave, head-keeper on the Bosworth estate.

Coalville Times article - Friday December 15th, 1916

BOSWORTH SOLDIER’S DEATH

POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S TRIBUTE

Mr T. Quincey, clerk of the Market Bosworth County Court, whose son was recently killed in action in France, received on Wednesday morning, a large and beautifully engraved card from the Postmaster-General, on which is printed the following:

General Post Office, London, 1916.

I desire to express my deepest regret at the death of Mr John Stanley Quincey, who, after five years’ faithful service to the State as an officer of the Post Office, has lost his life while serving his country in war.

Joseph A. Pease
Postmaster-General.

The deceased soldier was an old Bosworth School boy, and before the war was engaged as a clerk in the Leicester Post Office.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 17/10/2017