A FORMER commander of Colchester Garrison has died following a stroke, aged 67.

Colonel Julian Lacey, born in December 1948, played a prominent role in the transformation of the Merville Barracks in Colchester, and in shaping the UK’s reserve forces and cadets.

He was born and spent his childhood years in Egypt where his father was stationed in the Army.

The family moved back to the UK and Col Lacey was educated at Prior Park Preparatory School in Wiltshire.

His original passion was art and music. He became a talented banjo player and even gained a place at an Art College.

Instead, however, he attended the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst for officer training and was commissioned into the Royal Anglian Regiment in Aldershot in 1969.

He went on to serve in Cyprus, Belfast, Londonderry and Germany.

Over the following 30 years he was responsible for the formation of the Territorial Army Infantry Division in York, and acted on the Defence Commitments Staff in West Belfast.

He also helped to form the British Army’s new Eastern District and was a member of Strategic Defence and Security staff at the Joint Service Defence College in Greenwich In October 1997, he returned to Colchester as both Deputy Commander 24 Airmobile Brigade and Garrison Commander, helping to create the 16 Air Assault Brigade in East Anglia.

He was later awarded the OBE in the Operational Awards List for his work commanding a battalion in Northern Ireland, and this became a CBE in 2000 for his work as Commander at Colchester Garrison.

He left the Army in 2002 and became chief executive of the East Anglia Reserve Forces and Cadets in May 2003, where he brought passion and professionalism.

In a statement the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations described him as a man of massive intellect who brought calmness to those around him in times of trouble.

It continued: “His direction was wise, his guidance was clear.

“More importantly, he took time to know each individual and was always just and humane when issues arose.

“Quietly compassionate, he was always prepared to provide support and a listening ear to those in difficulties.”

As well as playing a prominent role in the military, Colonel Lacey led a happy family life.

He had been married to his wife Diana for over 40 years after meeting at a party in London. They now have two grown up sons, Jeremy, 36, and Michael, 39.

His son Jeremy said his father enjoyed shooting, reading, walking and listening to music when he was not working. The family also used to go on lots of fishing trips together.

Jeremy said: “He was a kind man and always put others before himself. He wanted us to have the best start in life.

“He was honest and a good adviser, he was a man who I respected a lot, we were very close.

“He really cared about everyone and he was very genuine.”

Col Lacey later went on to become a governor of Mothers’ Old School in Hitchin. He volunteered at St Helena Hospice in Colchester, and a year or so later the board of trustees elected him as chairman.

Former Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell worked closely with Col Lacey, who he said epitomised the qualities of the saying “an officer and a gentleman”.

He said: “It was always a pleasure to work with Col Lacey, both when he was Garrison Commander and after his retirement when he continued to have an active role in promoting the Reserve Forces and Cadets.

“He had a lovely sense of impish humour, and treated everyone with dignity. I regarded him as a friend.”

He died on Friday, September 11.