MASSEY, Lewis born c1884

[fullscott]

This man joined the RGA (at Dover) in July 1908, claiming to be RICHARD MARLOW, born Leicester, age 24y 6m (appearing to be about 26y). Allocated Regt No. 29257.

Was found to be LEWIS MASSEY, "belonging" to the Leicestershire Regt - Pte 7241 and was put in detention before being returned to the Leicesters.

Unfortunately, no genealogical information, and nothing to show further service.
2 possible births: Q4 1883 Banbury & Q1 1886 Oakham.

Anc****y, WW1 Service Records, MAR, pages 75907-75925

[Lesley Robertson]

There's medal cards for LM 57710 of the Yorkshires and 10095 of the Leicesters, so the name is obviously not as unusual as I thought it would be.

There's also a service record on Anc for 7341 Pte Lewis Massey of the Leics (includes a diagram of his foot!). He claimed to be 18 in 1904. His defaulter sheet shows that he broke out of barracks in 1904 and was caught in Folkstone ïmproperly dressed".
He had the longest rap sheet (absentee, drunk, foul language) that I've seen, continuing to March 1909 when it says he was struck off. Transfer to the reserve (no date on sheet) describes his conduct as indifferent, and "other qualifications" as a "good, smart, clean soldier".

There is then a letter identifying Richard Marlow as Lewis Massey, so it is the same guy.

If anyone wants to claim him, he gives his NOK as his mother, Emma Massly, he was a fishmonger and had 7 siblings.

[brentor boy]

Lewis Massey. Mar Q 1886. Oakham. Mmn Hill

Marriage. Thomas Massey/Emma Hill. Jun 1867. Leicester.

(substantiated by 1891 census)