Name
Charles Spicer (*1)
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/05/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
9919
Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own)
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY
VII. A. 9.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Charles was born in 1885 in Hitchin and christened on 28 October 1885 in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin. His parents were Ebenezer and Susan Spicer (née Sharp) they had married on 22 July 1871 in Holy Savior Church, Hitchin.
In 1881, before Charles’ birth, the family were living at Walsworth, nr, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Ebenezer (34) and Susan (34), with Ebenezer working as a labourer in a lime works. Their children were: Hannah (5), Albert (3), William (1) and Henry at 5 months.
By 1891 the family had moved to 4 Warren Cottages, Hitchin Hill, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with Ebenezer now working as a gas labourer. Of the above children only Hannah was absent and new siblings listed were Frederick (8), Charles (5), Joseph (1).
By 1901 the family had moved again and were living at 11 St John’s Lane, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with Ebenezer now a bricklayer’s labourer. Of the children Hannah had returned, and Albert and Henry were absent.
Charles enlisted in Stratford on 14 July 1903. He had already served was already serving in the 4th Bedfordshire Regiment – presumably a Territorial unit and he was working at a general labourer. He was 18 years and 1 month old. He was described as 5’ 3 ¼ tall, weighing 114 lbs with a 34 ½” chest when fully expanded, with fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair, with scars on his cheek and under his chin.
He was in Gosport on 17 July 1903, and his poor disciplinary record seems to have begun there on 23 September 1903 when he refused to obey an order and was confined to barracks for 7 days.
Having moved to Portsmouth on 11 November 1903 he was reported for 2 offences, one being late for 7.15am parade - confined to barracks for 3 days. On the 30th he failed to comply with an order - confined to barracks for 10 days. On 5 January 1904 he was absent from 4:30pm parade and refused to obey an order - 168 hours of hard labour. On the 16th he was reported for “Disrespectful conduct (wearing another man’s great coat)” and failing to obey an N.C.O. - confined to barracks for 7 days. On the 18th he was absent form parade (extra running drill) – confined to barracks for 14 days, but on the same day, he was “Found fit for service in Malta”.
On 3 March 1904 he was insolent to an N.C.O. and failed to obey an order - confined to barracks 10 days. March 14th committed insubordination and failed to comply with an order - was given 168 hours of hard labour.
He left the UK for Malta on 12 April 1904 arriving there on the April 20th. On May 1st was late for 10:30pm parade - confined to barracks for 3 days. On June 10th was noted as continually dirty on parade – confined to barracks for 7 days.
He was admitted to hospital on the and 17 July 1904 with enteric fever and was discharged on 11 October, but there is a note “transferred” and then he was in “EV Malta” until discharged on 13 March 1905 having been in hospital for 153 days.
On 3 May 1905 he disobeyed an order - confined to barracks for 5 days, 28th absent from ration parade - confined to barracks for 5 days. June 28th- used obscene language in the barrack room, hesitated to obey an order and used threatening language to an N.C.O. –confined to barracks for 10 days.
He was admitted to the Forrest Hospital Malta with gonorrhoea between 21 October and 18 December 1905.
In 1906 he was confined to barracks for 7 days for an offence of “Having an untidy berth(?)”on 27 January. Then had a second admission to Forrest Hospital with gonorrhoea between 1 February and about the 23 February 1906. On the 24th he was absent from the Tattoo having been allocated guard duty and returned drunk at 10:40pm - 14 days confined to barracks.
There are different names against most of his offences, so he seems to have had a problem with authority and not just one or two N.C.O.s
He seems to have been back in the UK from 13 March 1906 and was discharged from the Army on 13 July 1906 and entered the Army Reserve. We know this because as a Reservist, he was in Hitchin on 15 February 1908 when he committed, and assault of the police (civilian), was convicted of this misdemeanour and was given 1 month of hard labour. His home address at this time was 11 Bethel Lane, Hitchin.
By 1911 Charles was once again living with his parents, who now lived at 11 Bethel Lane, Hitchin.. He was 25 and working bricklayer’s labourer, as was his father. The census recorded they had been married for 40 years with 11 children, of whom 4 had died. Of all the children three brothers now remained in the family home: Harry, Charles and Joe.
Officially Charles was recorded as born in Hitchin, living in Islington, Middlesex and enlisted in Stratford, Essex.
Wartime Service
Charles was probably called from the Reserve – given his record re-enlistment does not seem likely although on 23 Aug 1914 he landed in France, which seems unusually early a Reservist. He was posted to the 1st Bn. Regiment Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) and allocated service number 9919.
His absence from the Arny had not improved his discipline and on 12 October 1914, while overseas with the BEF, he was given 28 days Field Punishment No. 1 for ”Using obscene language to an officer.” Then on 12 October 1914. He was tried by Field General Courts Martial Then he was courts martialled 25 November 1914 and sentenced to 1 year hard labour commencing the following day. He served time but 4 May 1915 his sentence was suspended, and he was released from prison on 6 May 1915. The army needed men, whether Charles had choice in the matter is not known, 7 days later he was missing in action.
His fate was unclear and Mrs J Spicer (presumably his mother S Spicer), wrote to find out if he was a prisoner of war – this must have been via the Red Cross. It is not known when she received a reply, but the Germans authorities responded to say that he was not registered as a prisoner of war.
Later his death was presumed for the 13th May 1915, when had gone missing.
Additional Information
On a form submitted by his mother in 1919 – signed with an ‘X’ - his parents were given as Ebenezer and Susan Spicer of 11 Bethel Lane, and his siblings were Anney Blockwood (41 living at 49 Hitchin Hill, Hitchin), Albert (41), William (39 living in Yorkshire), Harry (36 living at Old Park Road, Hitchin), Fred (34 living in Sunny Side, Hitchin) and Joe (29) who was a serving with His Majesty’s Forces.
After his death £10 4s 4d pay owing was authorised to go to his father on 23 May 1916. Later, a war gratuity of £5 was authorised to be paid to him on 23 August 1919.
His Death Plaque and scroll was sent to his father in April 1919, then his 1914 Star medal 3 June 1919, his British War medal was signed for by his father 5 January 1921, then his Victory medal on 9th June 1921. Finally his identity disc was sent on 8 July 1923
*1 There is a C Spicer on the Hitchin Town Memorial and St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin and also one on Hitchin Territorials Memorial. A Pte. 266937 C T Spicer from Walkern served with the Hertfordshire Regiment and so we believe him to be that man on that memorial man and this man to ne oh the other Hitchin memorials mentioned.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, Jonty Wild
