Name
Fred Spary
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/10/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9667
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Markyate memorials, Book of Remenbrance WW1, Luton, Beds.
Pre War
Fred Spary was born in 1891 in Markyate to Arthur Spary, a wheelwright, and Elizabeth (nee Bunyan).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, alter (born 1883) and Albert Edward (born 1885) were living at Hicks Lane, Caddington.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Albert Edward, Fred, Hilda Grace (born 1895) and Margaret (born 1899) were living at Hicks Lane, Markyate.
Fred enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 9667 in 1910.
On the 1911 Census he was recorded at Maida barracks, Aldershot with his battalion. Fred’s parents with Hilda Grace and Margaret were living at Hampton Road, Luton.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of the Great War the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment was stationed in Pretoria, South Africa. They returned to UK on 14 Sep 1914 where they joined the newly formed 21 Brigade, 7th Division.
Following re-equipment they were landed at Zeebrugge in early Oct to assist in the evacuation of Antwerp by defending bridges on the retreat route. Following this they redeployed to the Ypres area to take part in the Battles of Langemarck (21-24 Oct) and Gheluvelt (29-31 Oct). It was in this last action during a counter attack in the area of Zandvoorde that Fred was reported killed in action. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.
Additional Information
Brother Walter served with Bedfordshire Regiment from 1899 to 1911 (South Africa 1900=1902), Called from Reserve and served 2months BEF in 1914 before transfer to Suffolk 2 Garrison Battalion and a transfer to Royal Engineers with service in France with BEF from 27 Mar 1917 to 24 Jan 1919. Discharge 21 Feb 1919 surviving the Great War.
Brother Albert Edward served in 3rd (Militia) Battalion from 13 Nov 1901 transferring to Royal regiment of Artillery in 1901, served in South Africa from 1914 to 1907, called from Reserve on 7 Aug 1914 serving in UK on Munitions at Depot. Discharged as engagement expired on 24 Jan 1917 surviving the The GreatWar.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
