Name
Edward Smith Spencer
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
533964
Labour Corps
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Edward Spencer was born in the winter of 1886 at Paddington. He was one of three children (one son and two daughters) born to Jesse and Annie Spencer. At the time of the 1891 Census the family lived at 44 Launceston Mews, Paddington, where Jesse was employed as a Coachman. By the time of the 1901 Census the family had moved to 11 George Yard, St George, Hanover Square in London. Jesse continued to be employed as a Coachman.
In the 1911 Census the family was listed living at “The White Hart” Public House at Bedmond, and Jesse’s occupation was given as Licensed Victualler, and his wife Annie was listed as an Assistant in the Business. Edward was the only one of the three children still living at home, and was employed as a Stock Broker’s Clerk.
Edward married Harriet Flux on 30th November 1912 at Shanklin on the Isle of Wight and a son was born on 30th December 1913. He attested and enlisted on 8th December 1915 and joined the Army Reserve, but remained at home. When enlisting Edward’s Service Record noted that he resided at Bedmond, but was currently living at High Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, with his wife, Harriet. He was mobilised on16th September 1916, and on 19th September was posted to the reserve Battalion of the 15th London Regiment, the Civil Service Rifles (CSR). The CSR had mobilised at Bedmond at the start of the War in August 1914, but had moved to billets in Watford in November 1914, and on Le Harve in France on 18th March 1915. It might not be just a coincidence that Edward joined the CSR when he was mobilised the following year.
He was recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine for the first time in December 1916, however his unit was not given. The next month he was listed serving with the 15th Battalion of the London Regiment, and he was recorded with this unit in the Roll of Honour each month through to the end of the War.
On 5th January 1917 Edward was posted to the 15th Battalion in France, and he served with that unit for the rest of the year. On 29th November 1917 Edward was wounded in action and returned to England on 9th December 1917. At the time of his discharge, later in the War, it was noted that he had received a gun-shot wound to the left thigh. On 25th June 1918 his Service Record noted that he was based at The Wimbledon Common Camp, and was inspected on 8th July and placed in Medical Category B3. It was recommended that he be transferred to the Labour Corps.
On 10th July 1918 he was attached to the Discharged Labour Centre and on 20th July was transferred to the Labour Corps, where on 29th September he was assigned the rank of Pioneer. Edward was listed in the Absent Voter Records for Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919, and at the time his address was given at White Hart Cottage, Bedmond.
Edward was sent for Discharge on 24th April 1919, and was Discharged Disabled on 2nd May 1919 to 234 Chapter Road, Willesden Green. His wife Harriet was living at Shanklin on the Isle of Wight at this time, and this was to be his eventual destination. Due to his disability Edward was awarded a total Pension of 13/8 for 52 weeks from 3rd May 1919, and was considered 40% disabled. His Service Record noted that he was of very good military character.
Edward Spencer survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly 15th Battalion London Regiment. Discharged Disabled
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
