Lacey, Herbert Ernest (1906-1984)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

HERBERT ERNEST LACY: born in Walsall on 4th June 1906. After training in Hartley College, and being ordained in 1931, Herbert served in the following circuits: South Wales Mission, Nantwich and Burland, Rhosymedre and Chirk Warrington, Ripon, Kidderminster and Stourport, Sheffield (North and North-East), London (Ilford), London Mission (East Ham), King’s Lynn, and Doncaster (North-East). He also served as a Royal Navy Chaplain in Plymouth Command from 1942-1945. 

On retiring in 1971, he and his wife, Gladys, settled in the Doncaster Circuit, where he kept very active almost to the end, conducting services and acting as a Hospital and Prison Chaplain. Herbert always retained a keen, active mind, keeping up with his reading and study, especially of the Bible, Greek and theology. This came out in his preaching, which was incisive and stimulating. He did work amongst the mentally handicapped patients at St. Catherine’s Hospital, Doncaster. Herbert always felt that he was called to preach, but he was also an excellent pastor, liked working with young people and loved the brotherhood of the ministry. 

Gardening and walking were his main hobbies. He was a man of sound intellect, a rich sense of humour and a real love of people and of his Lord. Gladys was an active and faithful helper throughout his ministry. Together they had a rich influence over many people through the years. Herbert was a loving family man and a most faithful minister of the Gospel. 

He died on 12th January 1984 in the seventy-eighth year of his age and the fifth-third year of his ministry.

Family

Herbert was born on 4 June 1906 at Walsall, Staffordshire, to parents Job, a tailor (1911), and Hannah.

He married Gladys Winfield (1908-1990) in the summer of 1938 in the Watford Registration District, Hertfordshire.

Herbert died on 12 January 1984 at Doncaster, Yorkshire.

Circuits

• Hartley
• 1931 S Wales Mission
• 1933 Nantwich & Burland
• 1936 Rhosymedre
• 1938 Warrington
• 1942 Chaplain H.M. Forces
• 1945 Ripon
• 1948 Kidderminster
• 1952 Sheffield N
• 1956 Sheffield NE
• 1960 London Ilford
• 1962 London E Ham
• 1965 Kings Lynn
• 1968 Doncaster NE
• 1971 Doncaater (S)

References

Methodist Minutes 1984/74

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Note: Leary and the obituary gives the surname Lacy. Online records spell the surname Lacey.