Name
Frederick Sydney Spicer
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/09/1916
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/2795
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
12th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LONSDALE CEMETERY, AUTHUILLE
V. T. 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
HIS THE NOBLE VICTORY OURS THE BITTER LOSS
UK & Other Memorials
Cockfosters Village Memorial, Parish Bells, Barnet, Trent Boys School, Barnet
Pre War
Frederick Sydney was born in 1888 in Cockfosters to William Spicer, a labourer/gardener, and Mary Ann (nee Waters).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, and brothers Albert, Ernest, Alfred, Sydney K and Frederick were living at Cockfosters Road, Enfield. On the 1901 Census Frederick was living at 4 the Cottages with his parents and Brothers Albert and Sydney. On the 1911 Census Frederick was working as a footman for Lady R M Harland of Kensington Palace Gardens, London.
Wartime Service
Frederick attested on 1 Sep 1914 at Westminster as Private 2795 in the Duke of Cambridge’s (Middlesex) Regiment.
On 5 Sep 1914 he was posted to 12 (Service) Battalion Colchester on 8 Sep 1914. With his Battalion he went to France arriving in Le Havre on 26 Jul 1915 concentrating with 18 (Eastern) Division at Flesselles. His Battalion took part in the Battle of Albert (1 – 13 Jul 1916) and the Battle of Thiepval Ridge (26-28 Sep 1918) and were involved in the capture of Mouquet Farm. Frederick was killed in action on 26 Sep 1916.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs M A Spicer, 4, Village Cockfosters, New Barnet, ordered his headstone inscription: "HIS THE NOBLE VICTORY OURS THE BITTER LOSS". War Gratuity of £8 10s and arrears of £9 0s 6d was paid to his father. Brother Ernest served as Private 7688, 11th (S) Bn, Royal Fusiliers and after sustain wounds was transferred to 660 Agricultural Coy, Labour Corps and survived the war. Brother Alfred served as Lance Corporal 7453, West Yorks Regt and was died 3 May 1915
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
