Part 177

=SPENCE, JAMES MCKENZIE=, Sergt., No. 12/218, 15th North Auckland Regt., Signalling Division, Headquarters Staff, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, _s._ of James Mearns Spence, of Deveron Street, Whangarei, New Zealand; _b._ Whangarei aforesaid, 16 June, 1886; educ. there; was for some years a Reporter on the Staff of the Whangarei “Northern Mail” and “Northern Advocate,” subsequently becoming sub-editor of the “North Auckland Times” at Dargaville; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war; joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 15 Aug. 1914; left for Egypt as a signaller with the main body, was successively promoted Corpl. and Sergt., and was killed in action at the Dardanelles, 16 Nov. 1915; _unm._

=SPENCER, CHARLES JAMES=, Capt., 2nd Battn. Devonshire Regt., eldest _s._ of Charles Alfred Spencer, of Stoughton Lane, Leicester, by his wife, Mary, dau. of James Warwick, of Longthorpe, near Peterborough; _b._ Leicester, 10 Jan. 1879; educ. Charterhouse; joined the Cardigan Artillery Militia in 1898; gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Devonshire Regt., 18 Oct. 1899, and promoted Lieut. 11 May, 1901, and Capt. 14 July, 1908; served in the South African War, 1899–1902; took part in the advance on, and relief of Ladysmith, being with the 2nd Battn. in Major-Gen. Hildeyard’s Brigade, while the 1st Battn. was shut up in the town; operations of 17–24 Jan. 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5–7 Feb. 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14–27 Feb. 1900) and action at Pieters Hill; operations in Natal, March to June 1900, including action at Laings Nek (6–9 June); and those in the Transvaal, Nov. 1901 to 31 May, 1902; was severely wounded and received the Queen’s medal with five clasps and King’s medal with two clasps. He was Adjutant of the 7th (Territorial) Cyclist Battn. of the Devonshires from 14 July, 1908 to 29 Feb. 1912. On the outbreak of war he went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 5 Nov. 1914, and was killed in action, 18 Dec. 1914, while leading his company in an attack on the German trenches. Buried near Estaires. Capt. Spencer _m._ at Pennycross Church, near Plymouth, 20 Oct. 1909, Katherine Margaret (Crapstone House, Yelverton, South Devon), yst. dau. of the late Robert Bayly, of Torr, Plymouth, and had a son, Charles Richard, _b._ 5 Dec. 1910.

=SPENCER, JOHN=, Private, No. 572, 5th Coy., 2/5th Battn. King’s Liverpool Regt. (T.F.), _s._ of William Spencer, of Liverpool, Watch Finisher; _b._ Liverpool, 1854; educ. Corporation School there; enlisted in the R.G.A. (Militia) and served with them 22 years (Long Service medal and certificate); re-enlisted in Oct. 1914, and was accidentally drowned in Carrier’s Dock, Liverpool, 27 Dec. following, while on service. He _m._ at St. Nicholas Church, Liverpool, Mary Jane (23, Back Strickland Street, Liverpool), dau. of (--) Young, and had five children: William, _b._ 28 Oct. 1878; John, _b._ 22 July, 1891, R.N.; George, _b._ 30 Jan. 1896; Margaret, _b._ 5 June, 1882; and Emily, _b._ 14 May, 1898.

=SPENDLOW, JOHN JAMES=, Leading Seaman, 237135, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPICE, ALBERT=, Cook’s Mate, 1766, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SPICE, ROBERT WILLIAM=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 9019, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SPICER, ARTHUR JOHN=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 2214), 301561, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SPICER, GEORGE HENRY=, Gunner, 35031, 41st Battery, 42nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 3rd _s._ of George Spicer, of Frindsbury, Rochester, Kent, by his wife, Jane; _b._ Frindsbury, 23 Jan. 1885; enlisted 1 Feb. 1905; served seven years with the Colours then passing into the Reserve, was employed at Messrs. Lysaght’s Works, Newport, Mon.; mobilised 5 Aug. 1914; went to France, 20 Aug. 1914, and died in No. 7 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, 9 Nov. following, of wounds received in action at Neuve Chapelle in a gallant attempt to save Lieut. Towell. Major H. A. Hamilton, Commanding 41st Battery, wrote: “I am sure you would like to know how your husband gave his life for his country. I need not say how much I and all his comrades sympathise with you in your great loss, but you may have a little consolation in knowing that he was severely wounded in performing a gallant act, which was reported to his commanding officer and brought to the notice of the general officer commanding the division.” He _m._ at St. Woolo’s Church, Newport, Mon., 1 June, 1914, Beatrice Amelia, dau. of Henry George Evans, of 19, Victoria Crescent, Newport; _s.p._

=SPICER, MAURICE ARNOTT=, Corpl., No. 81840, 32nd, attd. 10th, Battn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th _s._ of the late Herbert Spicer, of Cranbourne, St Margarets near Ware, by his wife, Martha McMurray, dau. of David Arnott; _b._ Hambledon, co. Surrey, 23 April, 1882; educ. Mill Hill; was sisal growing in the West Indies from 1900 to 1903, afterwards farming in Canada until the outbreak of the European War; enlisted in the 32nd Battn. 21 Oct. 1914; came over with the reinforcements for the first contingent in March, 1915; went to France with a draft for the 10th Battn. early in April, 1915, and was killed in action at Festubert, 22 May, 1915; _unm._

=SPIELMANN, HAROLD LIONEL ISIDORE=, Capt., 1/10th Battn. Manchester Regt. (T.F.), yr. _s._ of Sir Isidore Spielmann, of 56, Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, W., C.M.G., F.S.A., by his wife, Emily, dau. of the late Sir Joseph Sebag-Montefiore; _b._ London, 12 Jan. 1893; educ. Clifton and Pembroke College, Cambridge (B.A. June, 1914); gazetted 2nd Lieut., 2/10th (Oldham) Battn. Manchester Regt., from the University O.T.C., 14 Oct. 1914; was promoted Capt. in March, 1915, to date as from 28 Nov. 1914; volunteered with the greater part of the battalion for foreign service; landed in Gallipoli, in command of a draft, 25 July, 1915, and was killed in an attack on the Turkish position, 13 Aug. following; _unm._ Lieut.-Col. G. Robinson, commanding 10th Manchesters, wrote: “He only joined us about three weeks ago, when he arrived in command of a draft of 248 men, and I was so impressed with his keenness and energy that I put him in command of a company. My judgment was fully borne out. Your son worked hard, and I felt I could always rely on him. On the evening of the 12th inst. a battalion next to us in the fire trenches lost a portion of a trench on their front, and I was forced to organise a counter-attack by one hundred men of my battn. under your son and two other officers. Your son was in command of his section of the attack, and carried out his orders with skill and gallantry. He reached his objective, but was immediately killed, and his men had eventually to fall back under strong opposition. His death, by bullets, was instantaneous.... Our men had done well, and we regained most of what had been lost, but they were ‘done,’ and I lost many of them besides my excellent young officer Spielmann.... It was crushing to me losing him. He was a ‘gentleman officer’ with such high notions of chivalry, honour and _esprit de corps_. I considered him one of my best officers, and had just recommended him for a permanent captaincy, as I had such a high opinion of his capabilities. Your boy died a hero’s death in his country’s cause, and that must ever be a source of satisfaction and comfort to you, and one in which you must all take a pride--falling in action gallantly leading his men. What more can a soldier ask for?”

=SPIERS, HAROLD ALFRED=, Boy, 1st Class, J 23568 (Ports.), H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=SPIERS, WILLIAM JOHN=, Stoker, Petty Officer (R.F.R., A. 2103), 131072 (Ports.), H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea. 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPILLARNE, CORNELIUS WILLIAM=, Stoker, 1st Class, 308380, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SPINDLER, DAVID=, Stoker, 1st Class, 289816, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPINKS, FREDERICK HERMAN VICTOR=, Rifleman, No. 10489, B Coy., 1st Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 2nd _s._ of Thomas Samuel Spinks, of 114, Leucha Road, St. James’ Street, Walthamstow, by his wife, Clara, dau. of Frederick Herman Greenslade; _b._ Clapton, N., 29 Oct. 1896; educ. Coppermill Road Council School, Walthamstow; enlisted 27 Jan. 1912; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 13 Aug. 1914; served through the retreat from Mons, etc., and was killed in action two days before his 18th birthday, near Ypres, 27 Oct. 1914. A comrade wrote: “He was killed in action the same day as Prince Maurice of Battenberg. His company had advanced against the Germans and taken up a position for the night. He could have lain down and gone to sleep, because he was a signaller, but the man next him had to do two two hours on duty looking through the porthole in the trench, and as he felt a bit bad, your poor boy offered to do it for him. Well, Fred had not been looking out for more than ten minutes when a bullet struck him in the head, and he must have died instantaneously. I cannot tell you more particulars now, but I know it was near Ypres. I was entrusted to write your letter because Fred was a signaller, and I am one of the few that are left.” He gained the 3rd class certificate for education, 23 Feb. 1912, and the 2nd class, 2 April, 1912.

=SPITTLE, FRANK THOMAS=, Rifleman, No. 2857, A Coy., 1/9th Battn. (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) The London Regt. (T.F.), yst. _s._ of Augustus Alfred Spittle, of 41, Manby Road, Leyton Road, Stratford, Essex, by his wife, Ellen Emily, dau. of George Abbott, of Maldon, Essex; _b._ Stratford, 25 April, 1896; educ. Downsell Road Council School, Leyton, and County High School, Leytonstone; volunteered and joined Queen Victoria’s Rifles on the outbreak of war; went to France, 22 Jan. 1915, and was killed in action, 23 Feb. 1915. Buried Wulverghem Cemetery. Major Lees (since killed in action) wrote; “He was one of a working party repairing the parapet of the trench during a mist, which suddenly lifted, and the Germans opened fire, and he was hit before he could get under cover, and died a few minutes later. He was very popular with his comrades and will be sadly missed.”

=SPITTLES, THOMAS ROBERT=, Stoker, 1st Class, No. K. 726, 3rd _s._ of Francis Edward Spittles, of South Hayling, by his wife, Elizabeth Bessie, dau. of Robert Applin; joined the Royal Navy about May, 1907, and was lost on H.M.S. Lynx, 9 Aug. 1915, when that ship was sunk by a mine in the North Sea. He _m._ at Portsmouth, Alice Georgina May (Rose Cottage, South Mundham), dau. of George Horne.

=SPOONER, ALEXANDER=, Leading Stoker, K. 114, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SPOONER, CHARLES ALBERT VICTOR=, Boy, 1st Class, J. 26754, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=SPOONER, WILLIAM CHARLES=, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch./16147, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=SPORTON, GEORGE HERBERT=, A.B. (Coastguard), 206749, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPRINGALL, WILLIAM EGLETON=, Leading Seaman (R.F.R., Ch. B. 5437), 178793, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPRUNT, ALEXANDER DALZELL=, 2nd Lieut., 4th Battn. Bedfordshire Regt., attd. 2nd Battn. South Staffordshire Regt., 2nd _s._ of John Dalziel Sprunt, of 3, East India Avenue, London, E.C., and Montgomerie, Berkhampsted, by his wife, Jane, dau. of John Naismith; _b._ Hampstead, London, 7 Jan. 1891; educ. Berkhampsted School, and New College, Oxford, where he graduated with honours in July, 1914, and was nominated Assistant Professor of Natural History at Glasgow University, obtaining his degree the week that war was declared. Having served for about 10 years in the Officers Training Corps, he and his brother (also killed in action) were offered commissions. He accepted and was gazetted 2nd Lieut., 4th Bedfordshire Regt., 15 Aug. 1914, being ordered to join his Regt. at once at Dovercourt. Later he was detailed to take out a draft to the Base at Havre, and from there took up a draft of the Guards to the trenches, where he was attd. to the 2nd South Staffordshires, with whom he remained till he was mortally wounded, bring shot down about 15 yards from the enemy’s lines. He died in hospital at Lillers, France, 17 March, 1915, of wounds received in action on the 10th, near Neuve Chapelle. His company had been chosen to lead the attack, and he was shot down about 15 yards from the enemy’s lines, where he seems to have lain from morning till night, when he was rescued and finally taken to Lillers. He was buried in the cemetery there; _unm._

=SPRUNT, EDWARD LAWRENCE=, Private, No. 1510, 1st Battn. Honourable Artillery Coy. (Stretcher-bearer Section), 3rd _s._ of John Dalziel Sprunt, of 3 East India Avenue, London, E.C., and Montgomerie, Berkhampsted, by his wife, Jane, dau. of John Naismith; _b._ Hampstead, London, 28 Aug. 1892; educ. Berkhampsted School, and Jesus College, Oxford, at which latter he held an open exhibition. Having served about nine years in the O.T.C., he was offered a commission on the outbreak of war, but being eager to go to the Front as soon as possible, and thinking he would probably be sent for months to a regimental depôt to train recruits (as his elder brother was), he enlisted as a Private in the Honourable Artillery Coy., and went to the Front with them and served through the winter of 1914–15. Later was again offered a commission and the War Office instructed his Col. to send him home that he might take it up. After getting his discharge he went back to the Col. and said he had heard there was to be a battle next day, and as he did not wish to leave on the eve of it, he asked permission to remain and see his comrades through it. The Col. replied that as he had put it so gallantly he could not refuse his request, and so he might remain. That evening the Battn. went up to the trenches and was under fire about 36 hours, including the fierce fight of 16 June, 1915, losing about half its numbers. On 17 June, about 2 a.m., near Chateau Hooge, Belgium, he was helping to carry a wounded comrade on a stretcher, and had got within about 15 yards of the dressing station, when a shell came over and exploded underneath the stretcher, killing him and two others, and wounding the remaining two stretcher-bearers. He was buried on the battlefield, near the Ypres-Menin Road; _unm._ His commanding officer wrote: “Your son had the opportunity of not going up (to the trenches) and of returning home, but refused to leave his comrades at such a time, and so showed a magnificent spirit--worthy of a man in this Regt. He discharged his duties with great valour under great danger. The circumstances were such as to lead me to specially recommend him for gallant conduct, and the enclosed card has been received from the General. I have pleasure in sending it to you, while regretting very much the circumstances which have been greatly appreciated by his comrades.” The card is of the first class, being printed in gilt letters, the ordinary card being in black letters. It reads: “Third Division, British Expeditionary Force, 1510, Private E. L. Sprunt, Hon. Artillery Coy. Your commanding officer and brigade commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself by your conduct in the field on 16 June, 1915. I have read their report with much pleasure, and have brought it to the notice of higher authority.” Later the Assistant Military Secretary wrote that he had been mentioned in a despatch from F.M. Sir John French “for gallant and distinguished service in the field.” “I am to express to you the King’s high appreciation of these services, and to add that His Majesty trusts that their public acknowledgment may be of some consolation in your bereavement.”

=SPRY, ERNEST JOHN=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 2224), 181820, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SPURDEN, WILLIAM=, Private, No. 7194, 1st Battn. Royal West Kent Regt.; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action, 17 Nov. 1914; _m._

=SQUIBB, FRED=, Private, G. 909, 1st Battn. Royal West Surrey Regt., _s._ of Frederick Squibb, of West Clandon, Surrey; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; died 5 Sept. 1915, of wounds received in action.

=SQUIRE, ALAN RICHARD=, Sergt., No. 10/782, Wellington Infantry Battn., eldest _s._ of Richard Jas. Squire, of Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand, by his wife, Charlotte Louisa, dau. of the late Josiah Claridge, Carpenter; _b._ Hawera, 12 Sept. 1892; educ. Hawera, N.Z.; was a Painter and Signwriter; volunteered on the outbreak of war and joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 7 Aug. 1914; left for Egypt with the main body as a gunner; arrived at Gallipoli, 7 May, 1915, and served there for three months, taking part in the severe fighting during that period; was promoted Sergt. the beginning of Aug., and was killed in action there a few days later, 7 Aug. 1915; _unm._ At the time he was killed he was temporarily in charge of the machine-guns, most of the officers having been killed or wounded.

=SQUIRE, STANLEY CHARLES=, Lieut., 7th (Service) Battn. Gloucestershire Regt., 2nd _s._ of the Rev. Charles Edward Squire, M.A., Vicar of Southrop, Lechlade, co. Gloucester, by his wife, Florence Charlotte, dau. of Morgan Yeatman, of Shawfield, Bromley, Kent; _b._ Llangrove Vicarage, near Ross, co. Hereford, 26 June, 1893; educ. St. John’s School, Leatherhead, and Corpus Christi College, Oxford (Science Scholar); gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Gloucestershire Regt., 26 Aug. 1914; promoted Lieut., 27 Jan. 1915; sailed on 22 June for the East; was at Cape Helles on 8 July for a few weeks, then took part in the Expedition to Suvla Bay, where he was killed in action while in charge of the machine-gun section, 9 Aug. 1915, on Chanak Bair. They occupied an exposed position, and he was hit by a bullet after bandaging a wounded man, and killed instantaneously, early in the day. The only two survivors (Stokes and Bennett), who returned later on with the last machine gun, received the D.C.M. He was _unm._ His brother, Capt. G. F. Squire, of the same Battn., was wounded the same day.

=SQUIRES, FRANCIS CHAVASSE=, Capt. and Adjutant, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, Indian Army, yr. _s._ of the late Rev. Henry Charles Squires, M.A., for 20 years Church Missionary Society Missionary, Western India, and afterwards Vicar of Holy Trinity, Richmond, Surrey, by his wife, Ada Martha (23, West Park, Eltham, S.E.), dau. of Thomas Chavasse, of Wylde Green House, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, F.R.C.S., and nephew of the Right Rev. Francis James Chavasse, D.D., Lord Bishop of Liverpool; _b._ West Chiltington Rectory, co. Sussex, 22 Feb. 1885; educ. St. Paul’s School (Foundation Scholar) and Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 5 Aug. 1905, and attached to the East Surreys in India, and the following year transferred to the Indian Army and posted to the 23rd Sikh Pioneers. He became Lieut. 5 Aug. 1907, and was appointed Adjutant, 25 Oct. 1912. He served in the Zakka Khel Expedition, 1908, for which he received a medal, and on the outbreak of the European War obtained his Company, 5 Aug. 1914. Capt. Squires was wounded in action at Lahej, 5 July, 1915, and died at Aden on the 7th; _unm._ His commanding officer wrote: “His high and sterling qualities were never better shown that on the extremely hard march to Lahej, in intense heat, when he was indefatigable and untiring in going back along the column, assisting men and getting them water, etc., and keeping me informed of everyone’s position. He reached me at Lahej just as the Turkish attack began, and throughout the early part of the night did magnificent work conveying orders to different units, and keeping me informed of their positions.... At about 11 p.m. the advanced line was withdrawn to an enclosure.... At your son’s urgent request I allowed him to go out with some men to keep clear a portion of the road near at hand. It was while carrying out this order that he received a gunshot wound.... He died on 7 July, and was buried in Aden that evening.... As a regt. we mourn the loss of a gallant officer and a kindly friend. Indian officers and men all express their deep grief. I lose a trusted Adjutant, and one whose sincere friendship I am proud to know I always held. His was a fine end, and I know he was contented it came thus in action.” He was an enthusiastic soldier, devoted to the well-being of his men, a good linguist and an excellent musician.

=SQUIRRELL, JOHN WILLIAM=, Private, No. 16149, 1st Battn. The Suffolk Regt., 3rd _s._ of James William Squirrell, of Hill Cottage, Hintlesham, by his wife, Emma, dau. of the late John (and Ann) Percy; _b._ Hintlesham, co. Suffolk, 15 June, 1884; educ. there; was a Stockman; enlisted after the outbreak of war, 6 Nov. 1914; went to France about 20 May, and was killed in action at Ypres, 25 May, 1915. He _m._ at Hintlesham, 28 Dec. 1908, and had two sons: Stanley William, _b._ 12 Jan. 1910; and Jack Reggie, _b._ 21 Jan. 1914.

=STABLE, LOSCOMBE LAW=, Capt., 2nd Battn. Royal Welch Fusiliers, eldest surviving _s._ of Daniel Wintringham Stable, of Plas Llwyn, Owen, Llanbrynmair, co. Montgomery, and of Holly Lodge, Wanstead, co. Essex, LL.B., J.P., Barrister-at-Law, and a Director of the Prudential Assurance Company, by his wife, Gertrude Mary, dau. of George Still Law, M.A., Barrister-at-Law, of Lincoln’s Inn; _b._ Wanstead, 21 March, 1886; educ. The Wells House, Malvern Wells, Winchester (Fort’s House), and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and passed out with honours; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Royal Welch Fusiliers, 2 Feb. 1907, and promoted Lieut. 11 April, 1911, and Capt. 21 Oct. 1914; went to France, 10 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action in the trenches about four miles south of Armentières, facing the village of Vertouquet and Rouge Bancs, 26 Oct. 1914; _unm._ Buried in La Cordonnerie Farm, close to Armentières, and about two miles from Fromelles. Col. H. Delmé Radcliffe wrote: “About your gallant son, who was one of the subalterns in the Battn. under my command. He was a most excellent soldier--fearless to a degree, and always the most cheerful of companions, and was therefore most popular with his brother officers, and in his death is most deeply regretted by all ranks. He received his death wound, so it was reported to me, going to the assistance of one of the men who was wounded and lying outside of the trenches. This was just like him, as he was always a model of unselfishness and thoughtfulness for others.” Private Ellis, the wounded man, was saved. Capt. Stable had some experience of mountaineering and winter Alpine sports, and was a fine polo player, having played for his regt. at Meiktila, Shwebo, Bhamo, Maymyo, Mandalay, Quetta, Bareilly, Meerut, Allahabad, Cawnpore, Lucknow, and finally in the winning team for the Infantry Polo Tournament at Delhi in 1913.