Name
Augustus Charles Speller
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/10/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9088
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Ponsbourne St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Newgate Street, Ponsbourne St Mary's Church Memorial, Newgate Street, Not on the Hertford memorials
Pre War
Augustus Charles Speller was born on the 17th Nov. 1888 at Henham Essex, his parents Charles and Hetty Speller had him christened at High Wych, Hertfordshire, on the 17th Dec. 1893 when he was 5 years old.
The 1891 census records Augustus as 3 and living with his parents and William J (14), Thirza (Barker, 12, step-daughter), Sarah (11), Lily (Barker, 10, step-daughter), Frank (Barker, 7, step-son) and, Herbert J (3), near Newlands, Widdington, Essex. Charles was working as an Agriculture labourer. This record shows that Charles was born at Elsenham Essex and Hetty at Henham Essex. By 1901 the family were living at Little Amwell, Hertford, Augustus, aged 13, was working as a rope maker.
By 1911 Augustus had enlisted as was a soldier at Aldershot Barracks, in the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. The address given as Maida Barracks Part Area 8), Stanhope Lines, Aldershot. His family were living at Ponsbourne Park, Lower Lodge, Newgate Street, and his father, Charles, was working as a woodman.
Charles and Hetty Speller had 7 children, 2 died at an early age; their 4 sons perished in the war, the remaining child a daughter survived.
Officially recorded as born in Henham, Essex, living and enlisting in Hertford.
Wartime Service
As a serving soldier Augustus went to France on 6th October 1914 when he was recorded as Private 9088, in the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
In 1914 they were at the Battle of Ypres 1914 (also known as the First Battle of Ypres) during October and November.
On the day Augustus died the war diary records: “26 Oct 1914 The Battalion remained holding its trenches as shown in sketch [not attached]. Battalion H.Q. was established in farm near Chateau & moved into C Coys. big trench during the day. 10.30 A.M. Captain A.G. Hall was shot by a sniper. Captain W.E. Wetherall took command of the company (D). Lieut. W. Bastard was also shot in the same way on this day. During the morning instructions were received that Guards Brigade were to attack BECELAERE. They advanced under heavy shell fire but did not get beyond our line of trenches. The Battalion had orders to advance of the guards right flank after they had gone through our line. D Company did move out of its trenches to the woods behind B Company. But as the advance was held up, late in the afternoon it reoccupied its trenches. Lieut. W. Bastard [William BASTARD] buried by Capt. R.L. Thom on the N. edge of the wood S. of the road junction at the foot of the BECELAERE hill, in the centre of N edge on W. of road, close to the bend of the road. Captain A.G. Hall, probably near the above, to the N. Westwards. Orders were received that the 1st Scots Guards were to relieve the Battalion in the trenches. It was not till early in the morning of 27th that this relief was completed. Lieut. D.G.C. Thomson & 20 N.C.O. & men 1st reinforcements arrived.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of February 1915, recorded: “Ponsbourne News, Roll of Honour, Augustus Speller who fell at the front on October 26. At the front: - Water Speller and Herbert Speller. “
Awarded the 1914 Star with clasp, British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Additional Information
Some memorials give the date of death as 20th October 1914.
He was the brother of Herbert, Leonard & Walter Speller and so four brothers died.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Hetty Speller of New Park Lodge received an “In Memoriam & Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk), www.bedfordregiment.org.uk
