Name
Alfred Spells
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/03/1917
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
252694
London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
2nd/3rd (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WARLENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
VI. B. 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Sawbridgeworth Town Memorial,
Great St Mary’s Church Memorial, Sawbridgeworth,
Metropolitan Borough of Fulham Roll of Honour,
St Etheldredas's Church Memorial, Fulham
Pre War
Alfred was born at Grays Inn Road, North London, in 1883, however, the next year, in 1884, the family moved to Sawbridgeworth. From 1884 until about 1898,
Alfred’s father Edward was the publican at the ‘Good Intent’ in Barkers Lane (Station Road).
After this, the family moved to 9 Wharton Street in Clerkenwell. Alfred was recorded in the 1911 census as a ‘Printer’s Engineer’ working in Fleet Street.
Husband of Nathalie Rose Spells, of 24 Purser's Cross Rd., Fulham, London. In January 1916, Alfred was in receipt of a conscription notice, but successfully appealed for a six months deferment (he was in a semi-reserved occupation). He used this time to marry in July 1916 Nathalie Clark at Fulham. It was at Fulham that Alfred finally enlisted. He and his wife were living at 24 Pursar’s Cross Road, Fulham.
Wartime Service
The records are vague, but Alfred appears to have served in the 23rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Earlier in the war this unit was also known by its ‘Pals’ name as the ‘1st Sportsmen’.
Alfred’s death date is given as 5 March 1917. Because where he is buried was near the site of a field hospital some miles to the rear, it is most likely that Alfred died of wounds received near Arras.
Alfred Spells is buried at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, France. He was aged 34.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Gary Sweetman, Douglas Coe
