Name
Alfred John Spicer
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/05/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
7453
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Panel 3 and 4.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Cockfoster Village Memorial, Parish Bells, Barnet, Trent Boys School, Barnet
Pre War
Alfred John was born in 1884 in Cockfosters to William Spicer, a labourer/gardener, and Mary Ann (nee Waters). On the 1891 Census the family of parents, and brothers Albert, Ernest, Alfred, Sydney K and Frederick were living at Cockfosters Road, Enfield.
Alfred married Priscilla Rosetta Leach on 2 Jul 1910 at Christ Church, Barnet. On the 1911 Census the couple were living at The Wayside, Bromley. Alfred’s occupation was a laundry engineer.
Alfred’s Solders who died in the Great War record states enlistment at Maritzburg (Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa) and his service number was issued sometime in 1904. During the 2nd Boer War many Territorial Force soldiers served in South Africa and may have opted to become regular soldiers serving an engagement (usually 7 years including Territorial Service and then 5 years on Reserve.
Wartime Service
On commencement of the Great War in Aug 1914 Alfred was recalled.
As Lance Corporal 7453 he went to France on 8 Sep 1914 in 18 Brigade in 6th Division as reinforcements for the BEF on the Aisne and took part in actions there on 20 Sep 1914 before the move into Flanders.
Alfred was killed in action on 3 May 1915 in the Ypres sector, his remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Ploegstreet Memorial.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 and arrears of £1 18s 11d was paid to his widow.Brother Ernest served as Private 7688, 11th (S) Bn, Royal Fusiliers and after sustain wounds was transferred to 660 Agricultural Coy, Labour Corps and survived the war. Brother Frederick served as Private 2795 Middlesex Regiment and died 26 Sep 1916 at Thiepval on the Somme.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
