Main CPGW Record
Surname: SPENCER
Forename(s): John Aldersley Craven
Place of Birth: Keighley, Yorkshire
Service No: ---
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 9th (Service) Battalion
Division: 11th (Northern) Division
Age: 24
Date of Death: 1915-08-09
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 47 to 51.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: LOTHERSDALE, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
John Aldersley Craven Spencer (born 17 September 1890) was the son of John Wilson and Mary Elizabeth Spencer, née Craven. John, senior, was born at Lothersdale and Mary at Keighley, Yorkshire. John, junior, was the cousin of T/2nd Lieutenant Basil Spencer Jennings (q.v.) and also related to Captain Alec Wilson (q.v.).
1901 Grange, Lancashire Census: Charney Hall - John A.C. Spencer, aged 10 years, born Keighley, Yorkshire. [John was attending a private school.]
1911 Keighley, Yorkshire Census: Lydget - John Aldersley Craven Spencer, aged 20 years, born Keighley, son of John Wilson and Mary Elizabeth Spencer.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: 2/Lt John Aldersley Craven Spencer, West Yorkshire Regiment. Theatre of war first served in: 2B - Gallipoli. Date of entry therein: 10 July 1915. Correspondnce: Mrs. J.W. Spencer, Blythe, Tudor Hill, Sutton Coldfield.
John is commemorated on the Keighley Golf Club Roll of Honour 1914 - 1919.
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: ---
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
2nd Lieutenant John Aldersley Craven SPENCER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Keighley Golf Club Roll of Honour 1914-1919
© Stanley Merridew (WMR-65319)
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
16 October 1914
OFFICERS GAZETTED
In the 'London Gazette' of Tuesday the following appointments were officially notified:–
To be Majors (temporarily) – J. Mackillop, late Major of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment; Edgar Dewhurst, late 3rd Volunteer Batt. Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment (October 14th).
To be Captains – Capt. J. H. S. Tee from the Territorial Force Reserves; W. Claughton, late captain of this battalion (temp.); N. C. Prince, late Captain of this Battalion (temp.); C. P. Charlesworth, late captain of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion West Riding Regiment (temp.); Capt. J. Groves, from the Territorial Force Reserves; N. A. England, late lieutenant of this Battalion; G. H. Ermen, late lieutenant 6th Battalion Manchester Regulars, Militia (Hon. Lieut. in the Army (temp.), October 14th.
To be Lieutenants – N. Clapham, late lieutenant of this Battalion (temp.); S. J. Rhodes, late lieutenant of this Battalion (temp.); A. E. Booth (temp.), October 14th.
To be Second Lieutenants – J. A. C. Spencer, late Second Lieutenant of this Battalion; W. K. Law, late Cadet, Aldenham School, O.T.C.; G. Broughton, C. D. Bennett, L. Jaques, N. Geldard, R. C. Barrett, G. L. Lupton, G. C. Foulds, C. G. C. Kilner, J. W. Woodhead (October 14th); R. Armstrong, Oxford University; D. V. Bernard. Cambridge University; and … Walker, Sedbergh Grammar School.
Colonel Williamson, in command, was gazetted some weeks ago.
27 August 1915
SECOND-LIEUTENANT SPENCER MISSING
Mr. J. W. Spencer of Lydget, Utley, Keighley, has received intimation from the War Office that his only son, Second-Lieutenant J. A. C. Spencer, of the 9th West Yorkshire Regiment, is missing. Lieutenant Spencer left for the Dardanelles last month, and it is thought that he participated in the landing at Suvla Bay early this month. Before joining the Army in August, 1914, he was with the firm of P. W. Spencer, of Lothersdale and elsewhere, lime burners and quarry-owners.
10 May 1918
LOTHERSDALE – War Memorial
On Wednesday, the 1st inst., in the Parish Church, Lothersdale, a marble tablet, placed on the north side of the chancel, in memory of John Aldersley Craven Spencer, was unveiled in the presence of members of the family. The service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. J. S. Griffiths, who also delivered a short address. The beautiful memorial tablet is of the finest marble, with inscription panel (richly moulded at the base) below a semi-circular sculptured lunette illustrating a fallen officer with ministering angels approaching to bear away the soul. On the top of the lunette are the words, ‘For God, King and Country’.
On the panel is the following inscription:– “In ever loving memory of Second Lieut. John Aldersley Craven Spencer of the 9th West Yorkshire Regiment, the only son of John Wilson and Mary E. Craven Spencer. He was killed at dawn on the 9th of August 1915, leading his men into action in the fighting at Abrikja, after the landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. Aged 24 years.”
04 July 1919
PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' – CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS
SECOND-LIEUTENANT J. A. C. SPENCER
Only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Spencer, Lydget, Keighley, was reported missing in August, 1915, and in July 1916, was officially reported killed. Deceased, who was 24 years of age, took part in the landing at Suvla Bay.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
27 August 1915
LIEUT. SPENCER MISSING
Second-Lieutenant J.A.C. Spencer of the 9th Yorks. Regiment, and son of Mr. J.W. Spencer of Lydget, Keighley and Cavendish Street, Skipton, is reported as missing. No details have been given by the War Office. He left for the Dardanelles at the beginning of July.
10 May 1918
LOTHERSDALE
WAR MEMORIAL – On Wednesday of last week, in the Parish Church, a marble tablet placed on the north side of the chancel in memory of John Aldersley Craven Spencer was unveiled in the presence of members of the family. The service wits conducted by the Rector, who also delivered a short address. The memorial tablet is of the finest ceraverra marble with inscription panel (richly moulded at the base) below a semi-circular sculptured lunette illustrating a fallen officer with ministering angels approaching to bear away the soul. On the top of the lunette are the words. “For God. King and Country.” On the panel is the following inscription:– “In ever loving memory of Sec. Lieut. John Aldersley Craven Spencer, of the 9th Yorkshire Regiment, the only son of John Wilson and Mary E. Craven Spencer. He was killed at dawn on the 9th of August, 1915, leading his men into action in the fighting at Abrikja, after the landing at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. Age 24 years."
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.