Private Edward Ernest Gracey
Edward Ernest Gracey was born on 7 February 1898 in Edward Street, Lurgan, County Armagh, the second of nine children of grocer Daniel Gracey and his wife Margaret Anna Jane (née Nicholson). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living as a student boarder at the Preston Boarding School in Main Street, Abbeyleix, Queens County.
Gracey enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 24 May 1915 (No.1584). He gave his age as 19 years (he was only 17) and stated that he was working in Newry as a chemist's apprentice.
Four days later his father wrote to the regiment's commanding officer:
My son Edward E Gracey enlisted last Monday in the N.I.H. without either his mother's or his employer's or my consent or knowledge. As he is only a little over 17 years i wish to claim him off. I enclose his birth certificate.
As a result, Gracey was discharged on 9 June 1915 'having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment' (paragraph 392 vi(b), King's Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'good'.