Main CPGW Record
Surname: SPENCER
Forename(s): Alfred
Place of Birth: Hull, Yorkshire
Service No: 22809
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 10th (Service) Battalion
Division: 23rd Division
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1917-09-20
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 82 to 85.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Alfred Spencer was the son of William and Ellen Lemmon Spencer (née Widdup). William was born at Hull and Ellen at Knottingley, Yorkshire.
1901 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 13, Albion Road - Alfred Spencer, aged 9 years, born Hull, Yorkshire, son of William and Ellen L. Spencer.
1911 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 11, Albion Road - Alfred Spencer, aged 19 years, born Hull, Yorkshire, son of Ellen Lemmon Spencer, widow.
Alfred was married to Selina Norcross in 1915 and was the brother-in-law of Private Holgate Norcross (41951) (q.v.).
The British Army Service Record for Alfred Spencer exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Alfred Spencer, 22809, W. Rid. R. Dead 20.9.17.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Alfred Spencer, 22809, 10th W. Rid. R. Presumed Dead 20.9.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Alfred Spencer, 22809, 10th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: On or since 20.9.17 death pres'd. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Selina. £7 4s. 8d.
Alfred was killed in action or died of wounds during the Battles of Ypres, 1917, 31 July-10 November, at the Battle of the Menin Road, 20-25 September.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Private Alfred SPENCER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 23rd Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
16 May 1919
EARBY – MISSING SINCE SEPTEMBER, 1917
We give a photograph of Lance-Corporal Alfred Spencer, 10th Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, whose home was at 13 Cowgill Street, Earby. He has been missing since September 20th, 1917, and nothing has been heard of him. If anyone can throw any light, upon his whereabouts the family will be deeply grateful.
23 May 1919
SUPPOSED CLUE TO ‘MISSING’ EARBY SOLDIER – ‘Craven Herald’ Photo Recognised
The photograph of Lance-Corporal Alfred Spencer, which appeared in the “ Craven Herald’,’ last week, accompanied by a request for information, was answered more promptly than usual in such cases, and in a manner that has revived confident hopes of his being still alive. ‘Lance-Corporal Spencer served with the 10th Battalion West Riding Regiment in France and was posted as 'missing' September 20th, 1917. On Sunday morning last the parents of the missing man, who reside at 13 Cowgill Street, Earby, received a letter from ex-Private Thos. Latham, of Settle, stating that he recognised the photograph at the first glance as that of a comrade of the same name with whom he had been serving in Italy since the latter part of 1917 up to demobilisation a short time ago. In order to test the accuracy of the information a brother of Lance-Corporal Spencer went over to Settle on Monday and saw Latham, who not only adhered confidently to his statement, but obtained corroboration from another pal at Settle, who also instantly recognised the photo as that of the missing Lance-Corporal. Both agreed in describing Spencer’s personal characteristics, and remarked upon his occasional periods of absent-mindedness and incoherency suggested of having suffered from shell, shock. They also furnished the missing man’s brother with an address in Italy to which enquiries have now been sent. No communication of any kind has been received from Lance-Corporal Spencer since the date above mentioned. The case has naturally aroused much speculation and interest in Earby and further developments are anxiously awaited.
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