Main CPGW Record
Surname: SPENCER
Forename(s): William
Place of Birth: Silsden, Yorkshire
Service No: 781066
Rank: A/Bombardier
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Field Artillery
Battalion / Unit: 'D' Battery 246th Brigade
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1918-05-08
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: II. E. 12.
CWGC Cemetery: ARNEKE BRITISH CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SILSDEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
William Spencer was the son of Ernest and Julia Spencer, née Clark. Both parents were born at Silsden, Yorkshire.
1901 Silsden, Yorkshire Census: 43, Kirkgate - William Spencer, aged 6 years, born Silsden, son of Ernest and Julia Spencer.
1911 Silsden, Yorkshire Census: 43, Kirkgate - William Spencer, aged 16 years, born Silsden, son of Ernest and Julia Spencer.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Gnr William Spencer, 1248 & 781066, Royal Field Artillery. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 19 November 1915.
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:
SPENCER, Bombardier W., aged 23, R.F.A., Kirkgate, [Silsden], died of wounds May 8, 1918.
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A/Bombardier William SPENCER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Field Artillery
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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St James's Churchyard, Silsden
Family gravestone
St James's Churchyard, Silsden
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
10 May 1918
WOUNDED AND MISSING
Mr. Ernest Spencer, Kirkgate, Silsden, has heard that his son, Bombardier Willie Spencer, of the R.F.A., has been seriously wounded in the chest and right arm whilst taking part in the recent offensive in France, and that he is at a clearing station. A later communication from the chaplain states that there are good hopes of a recovery. Bombardier Spencer joined up early in 1915, and went to France in the same year. Prior to enlistment he assisted his father as a butcher at Silsden.
17 May 1918
Bombardier W. Spencer, Silsden
News has been received this week by Mr. Ernest Spencer, Kirkgate, Silsden, that his son, Bombardier Willie Spencer (who was reported in our columns last week as wounded), died at the 13th Casualty Clearing Station, France, on May 8th. He was 23 years of age, and has another brother, Bombardier Ernest Spencer, serving in the Anti-Aircraft Gun Section.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
10 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Silsden Soldiers Wounded
News has been received by Mr. Ernest Spencer, Kirkgate, Silsden, that his son, Bombardier Willie Spencer, of the R.F.A., has been severely wounded in the chest and arm whilst taking part in the recent offensive, and is at present at a clearing station in France. A later communication from the chaplain states that there is good hopes for a recovery. Bombardier Spencer joined up early in 1915, and went out to France the same year. Prior to enlisting he assisted his father, who carries on the business of a butcher.
17 May 1918
SPENCER – Died of wounds May 8th, Bombadier W. Spencer, R.F.A., son of Mr. Ernest Spencer, Kirkgate, Silsden, aged 23.
17 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Pte. E. Spencer Dies of Wounds
Mr. Ernest Spencer, of Kirkgate, Silsden, received a telegram on Monday morning last to the effect that his son, Bombardier Willie Spencer, of the R.F.A., had died from wounds on May 8th at the 13th Casualty Clearing Station, France. Bombardier Spencer, who was 23 years of age, enlisted in April, 1915, and went out to France the same year. Prior to enlisting he assisted his father, who carries on the business of a butcher. Another brother, Bombardier Harold Spencer, is also serving, and attached to the Anti Air Craft Gun Section.
21 June 1918
SILSDEN – MEMORIAL SERVICE
A service in memory of Pte. Chas. Pollard, who was killed in action on April 13th; Bombadier Willie Spencer, who died of wounds on May 8th; and James Wade, who died in Salonica on May 3rd following an operation, was held at the Silsden Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday morning last, and was conducted by Rev. Wm. Dickinson (pastor). Appropriate hymns were sung, and at the close of the service the organist (Mr. James Peace) played the ‘Dead march’ in ‘Saul.’ Mr. Dickinson took as his text “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord” and the Prince of Righteousness. To the parents, wives, children, relatives, and loved ones they extended their deepest sympathy and said that their young men had all gone forth with one great purpose, makin war upon war that war might be ended and that Christ might be supreme as the King of Peace in this their hour of trial. Mr. Dickinson also read out a list of the young men connected with the church and Sunday-school, who had made the supreme sacrifice, the congregation standing meanwhile.
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