Thursday 7 June 2012

Corporal William George Spence, MM

Born on 24 May 1893 in Bradford, Ontario - son of James Spence, Bradford, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1916: present address in Bradford, Ontario; trade as bank clerk; single; no current or previous military service; Methodist; height of 5 feet 8 inches; chest of 40.5 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; blue eyes; fair hair.

Joined the 75th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, CEF, in Kingston, Ontario, on 15 November 1916 (number 345884) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 11 or 12 July 1917 - killed in action on 27 September 1918 - buried in Quarry Wood Cemetery (grave III.A.1), France.

Awarded the Military Medal - no official citation - unit recommendation dated 7 September 1918: "For gallantry during Operations near Dury, Sept 1st and 2nd 1918."

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org; Canadian War Museum, 19680229-001, Manu 58C 1 2.18, Honours and Awards, 38th Battalion (Records of recommendations for honours and awards and mentioned in dispatches 19161121 19190117))

1 comment:

Melanie Spence said...

William Spence was my grandfather's brother. Thanks for the post