Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant John Stanley Tucker
John Stanley Tucker was born on 2 June 1881 at St Lawrence, Ramsgate, Kent, the tenth or eleventh of fourteen children of agricultural labourer John Tucker and his wife Mary Terry Tucker (née Danton).
Tucker enlisted in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) at Ramsgate on 2 January 1900 (No.5042 – later Corps of Dragoons No. D/19720). He gave his occupation as coachman. He served with his regiment in South Africa from 16 November 1901 to 23 January 1908.
On 16 November 1912 he married Emily Margaret Burdett at Aldershot.
Following the outbreak of war, on 16 August 1914 Tucker embarked for France with his regiment. He returned to the UK on 1 December that year, perhaps sick, injured or wounded.
Tucker re-embarked for France on 30 June 1916, having been posted to the headquarters establishment of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment following the formation of that regiment in France from C and F Squadrons and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron. The headquarters, formed in England and comprising 40 officers and men, joined the new regiment in France at the beginning of July.
On 30 May 1917 he returned to the UK, possibly following illness or a wound to the right hand. The war diary of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment for 9 June states:
SQMS Moore A Squadn promoted R.Q.M.S. vice R.Q.M.S. Tucker to U.K.
Tucker resumed service with the 2nd Dragoon Guards at the No.4 Cavalry Depot at Newport. He was discharged on completion of his second period of engagement (21 years) on 1 January 1921, his military character recorded as 'exemplary'.
Following his discharge Tucker returned to his family at Ramsgate. The 1939 Register shows him living at 24 Manston Road and working as Secretary to the Ramsgate British Legion. He died in the Ramsgate General Hospital on 17 October 1957.
East Kent Times, 25 October 1957
Image of Tucker sourced from Lives of the First World War website – contributor 'Janice93253'.