Thank you to the Friends of St. Margaret for allowing us to reproduce their research. Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for further research.
Sylvester John Macey was born on 4th April 1890 in Ewell, Surrey to blacksmith Thomas Bedford and Eliza Jane (nee Thrush). He was baptised on 6th July 1890 at St Mary’s, Ewell. At the time of the baptism the family was living in Ewell and Thomas was working as a blacksmith.
Sylvester’s father Thomas Bedford Macey was born about 1851 in Dowlish Wake, Somerset to glover Georgina, born about 1822 in Dowlish Wake. Thomas was baptised on 27th July 1851 in Dowlish Wake. Georgina did not state the name of the father on the baptismal register. His mother Eliza was born in the 2nd quarter of 1854 in Marylebone, Middlesex and was baptised on 2nd of April 1854 at St Marylebone, Westminster. Thomas married Eliza, on 25th December 1876 at St Mary’s, Battersea. The couple lived at 20 Trott Street, Battersea. Thomas was working as a smith. On his marriage certificate Thomas stated that he was the son of carpenter John Macey.
Sylvester had six known siblings: Georgina M born about 1878; William born about; Alice M. born about 1881 and Josiah, all born about 1882 in Kingswood, Surrey. Gertrude born about 1886 in Hailsham, Sussex and Thomas B, born about 1889 in Ewell, Surrey.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Brickyard Cottage, Kingswood. Thomas was working as a blacksmith and Eliza was looking after their children: William and Alice.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Kingston Road, Ewell. Thomas was still working a blacksmith and Eliza was at home looking after their children and a nephew Berty Turrell.
Eliza Jane Macey died in the 1st quarter of 1897 in Epsom, Surrey.
Thomas Macey re-married Rosina Coleman (nee Crisp) on 2nd August 1897 at St Mary the Virgin, Leyton, Essex.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Hope Villa, Longfellow Road, Cheam, Surrey. Thomas was a farrier and Rosina was at home. The household further comprised of Thomas’s children from his previous marriage: Josiah, Gertrude, Thomas B. and Sylvester John, nephew Berty Turrell and Thomas’s mother Georgina.
Sylvester Macey disembarked on the vessel Victorian on the 14th of July 1910 in Quebec, Canada.
At the time of the 1916 Census, Sylvester lived in Coblenz, Saskatchewan, Canada. His occupation was a clerk in a general store. He had stated that he could read and write. His lodger was called Wesley Kaercher. The Census noted that both men were part of the 96th Battalion (Canadian Highlanders).
At the time of the 1911 Census. Sylvester’s father Thomas lived at The Forge, Epsom. He was working as a shoeing & jobbing smith. The household further comprised of his wife Rosina and a son, blacksmith Thomas. The accommodation had six rooms.
Sylvester enlisted on 14th February 1916 in Saskatoon, Canada into the 96th Battalion (Canadian Highlanders). He was a Private with regimental number 204297. At the time of his enlistment he resided at Coblenz, Saskatchewan, Canada. He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was working as a mechanic.
The unit embarked from Halifax, Canada on 27th September 1916 on SS Laconia. They disembarked on 6th October 1916 in Liverpool.
Pte Macey was transferred from the 96th Battalion to the 92nd “Overseas” Battalion on 8th October 1916 in the Canadian Forces Camp in East Sandling, Kent. On 12th November 1916 he was transferred into the 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada). On 13th November 1916, Pte Macey arrived in France and settled at the Canadian Base Depot.
On 29th November 1916, he left the Canadian Base Depot for his unit. He joined the 13th Battalion on 2nd December 1916.
Sylvester Macey died on 20th December 1916 in France. He was killed in action whilst on sentry duty in the trenches of Avion. He was killed by an enemy shell. He is buried at the Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St-Eloi, France. His cemetery reference number is: IV.A.7. His headstone bears the inscription: ‘They Will Be Done O Lord’.
He received the Memorial Plaque and Scroll.
His father Thomas Bedford Macey lived at Leathland Cottage, Ockley, Surrey.
| Born | Ewell, Surrey | |
| Lived | Saskatchewan, Canada | |
| Son of | Thomas Bedford and Eliza Jane (nee Thrush) Macey | |
| Regiment | 13th Battalion. Canadian Infantry | |
| Number | 204297 | |
| Date of Death | 20th December 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Avion, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed by an enemy shell | |
| Age | 26 | |
| Cemetery | Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St-Eloi, France |
