A Lifetime of Service
By David Wright
Town Historian
A Lifetime of Service
From the early through the mid-1900’s, few figures loomed larger in Stratford’s history than did Reginald Beardsley DeLacour. “Rex”, as he was generally known, was born November 8, 1886 in Wichita, Kansas. At the age of one year, Rex’s parents moved to Stratford to a home on Judson Place. He was the son of Margaret Starr Beardsley DeLacour, who taught kindergarten in the Perry House in the late 1800s. He could trace his linage back to the founding families of Stratford.
Rex enlisted in the cavalry in 1915 and saw active duty during World War I. He was wounded in action in one of the very last battles of the War in 1918 in France. He remained active in military service until the end of his life.
On December 3rd, 1916, Rex was home on military leave from duty in Texas and was interviewed by a reporter for The Bridgeport Herald. The following is an excerpt from that interview.
“Fresh from five months’ duty as a soldier on the Mexican border, R. B. DeLacour, of King street, Stratford, is enjoying two weeks of what passes for luxurious idleness in contrast to the routine of camp life.
…Asked for a typical day’s schedule of camp life, Mr. DeLacour recited it off as if he had been familiar with it as long as he has with his multiplication tables. This is how it ran: 4:50, Reveille; 5:00, Assembly (roll call); 5:30, Mess call, breakfast lasting until 6:00; 6:30, First call for drill; 6:45, Boots and saddles call; 7:00, Leave camp mounted to drill until 11:30; 11:30 to 12:00, grooming and feeding horses; 12:30, Dinner, then followed a rest hour; 2:30, Saddle up and drill until 5:00; 5:30 to 6:00, Supper; 6:15, Evening parade, line up, lower colors, sing “Star Spangled Banner”; 6:30, Guard Mount; 7:00 to 8:00, Non-commissioned officer’s school with instructions in drill formations, etc.; 8:00 to 9:00 free; 9:00, Tattoo; 9:15, Called to quarters; 9:30, Taps.”
Rex held the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Conspicuous Service Cross of the State of New York for his military service.
Rex served Stratford in many positions and was active in Connecticut state politics. Rex was a leader in Stratford’s 300th anniversary celebration in 1939 and was a contemporary, and friend, of Governor Raymond Baldwin and Senator Charles “Shang” Wheeler.
If there was a social or community event in Stratford, Rex could be numbered as a participant and, often, as an organizer. Rex’s club affiliations included Army Legion of Valor, member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Connecticut Society of Colonial Wars, and The Huguenot Society. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Stratford. He was Vice President of the Bridgeport Real Estate Board and director and secretary of the Union Cemetery association.
Rex participated in the investigation of the Hartford Circus Fire in 1946 as Governor Raymond Baldwin’s State Adjutant (home guard general). Strangely coincident with the Hartford Circus Fire, Rex’s home on North Main Street in Stratford, known as the “Prayer Spring home”, caught fire that Fall of 1946 and was badly damaged.
Rex passed away in March of 1948 and was buried with full military honors at Union Cemetery. His funeral was held at the First Congregational Church of Stratford.
“Rain fell as the funeral party left the church. A composite battalion of the 242nd Anti Aircraft Group, made up of 200 enlisted men, formed an honor guard.
Most of the state’s elected officials were present, as well as employees of the adjutant general’s office and the State Armory at Hartford.” (From The Hartford Courant, March 24, 1948).
