Name
Herbert James Speller
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/11/1916
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sapper
139146
Royal Engineers
179th Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
I. Q. 19.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hertford Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Ponsbourne St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Newgate Street, Ponsbourne St Mary's Church Memorial, Newgate Street
Pre War
Son of Charles and Hetty Speller later of New Park Lodge, Newgate St. Hertford. Herbert James Speller was born on around 1887 at Henham Essex.
In the 1891 census Herbert was 4 and living with his parents and six other children William J (14), Thirza (Barker, 12, step-daughter), Sarah (11), Lily (Barker, 10, step-daughter), Frank (Barker, 7, step-son), Herbert J (3) and Augustus (2), near Newlands, Widdington in Essex. Charles was working as an Agriculture labourer, that record shows that Charles was born at Elsenham Essex and Hetty at Henham Essex.
By 1901 the family were living at The Street, Hertford Heath, Herbert, aged, 14 is working as a rope maker. The in 1911 Herbert was living at Pickworth, Stamford, Lincolnshire, and working as an estate woodman. His family were living at Ponsbourne Park, Lower Lodge, Newgate Street. Charles (father) working as a Woodman.
Charles and Hetty Speller had 7 children, 2 died at an early age; their 4 sons perished in the war, the remaining child a daughter survived.
Officially recorded as born in Stanstead: Essex and he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Herbert joined the 1st Bn Bedfordshire Regiment No 4/7281, and later transferred to the Royal Engineers.
Roll of Other Ranks serving with 179th Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers 1915-18, records: 179 Coy WD 22/8/1915 15 OR Bedfords arrive. 179 Coy WD 16/11/16: Killed whilst carrying timber at S.3.c.6.6. SDGW: KIA. The 179th at the time of his death was tunnelling in the La Boisselle Sector.
Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine February 1915: "Ponsbourne News ... At the front: - Walter Speller and Herbert Speller".
Awarded the 1914 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Additional Information
He was the brother of Augustus, Leonard & Walter Speller and so four brothers died.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Hetty Speller of New Park Lodge received a Silver Matchbox.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
