Name
Charles Thomas Spicer (*1)
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/07/1917
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
266937
Hertfordshire Regiment
No. 4 Coy. 1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT CEMETERY
X. G. 4.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
4 Co' Hertfordshire Reg' Territorials’ Memorial, Hitchin, Walkern War Memorial, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Charles was born in 1894 in Walkern, near Stevenage and christened in 24 June 1894 in Walkern. His parents were Samuel James and Louisa Spicer.
In 1901 the family were living in Bassetts Green, Walkern, Stevenage, Herts. where they remained the other census below and in many of the records. Present were both parents: Samuel (42) and Louisa (41), with Samuel working as a horse keeper on a farm. Their children were: Louisa M (15), Samuel James (14). William George (12), Charles Thomas (6) and Eva M (1).
In 1911 both parents were present , Samuel was still a horse keeper on a farm. The census recorded they had been married for 26 years with 5 children, of whom 1 had died. Curiously only two siblings were recorded on the form submitted to the military authorities after his death, William and Louisa Charles. Of the children listed in 1901, all were listed except Eva, Louise was listed but was crossed out so was probably elsewhere. Charles was 16 and working as a farm labourer.
Charles enlisted into the 3/1st Hertfordshire Territorial Force Regiment as Private 5803 on 10 November 1915 and was embodied the same day and also signing a form agreeing to serve overseas. Officially Charles was recorded as living in Walkern when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
He was posted abroad 5 July 1916 and embarked in Folkeston that day and arrived in Boulogne later that day. He arrived at No. 17 Base Depot the next day and joined No. 3 Entrenching Battalion on 22 July and then the 1st Hertfordshire for duty on 24 August 1916.
In early 1917 soldiers who had enlisted or were serving in a Territorial Force regiment were issued with a new, six-digit service number. This was largely related to the huge increase in the numbers of men serving in the infantry regiments and the need to avoid confusion. Charles received 266937.
On 15 May 1917 he was taken to the 133 Field Ambulance, then 39 W RS the following day 132 Field Ambulance 2 June 1917 and return to duty 6 June. These all appear to be connected to an ulcerated right leg
He was posted missing on 31 July 1917. On that day the 1st Hertfordshire Battalion were in support of an attack on the Langemarck Line and a general bombardment of the German lines commenced at 3.45am on the 31st July 1917 and the planned assault began. It had three objectives to achieve known as Blue, Black & Green and units of the 116th Brigade easily captured the first two objectives, preparing the way for the forward companies of the Hertfordshire battalion, to take the third objective.
They had marched from Vlamertingue to their assembly position arriving by midnight on the 30th/31st July 1917. A general bombardment of the German lines commenced at 3.45am on the 31st July. At 05.00am the Hertfordshires left their assembly positions to attack their objective, which lay over the crest of a ridge.
As they made their way forward, they came under heavy fire from both German machine guns and snipers but after eliminating a German strongpoint moved up towards St. Juliaan, which was only lightly held. The Battalion crossed the Steenbeek with some difficulty and two of its supporting Tanks became bogged down in the mud. Things then went from bad to worse. A pre-arranged artillery barrage never materialised due to the guns being unable to move forward over the muddy terrain and the German barbed wire defences, which were fifteen feet deep in some places, were found to still be intact. It was soon realised that ground could only be won by section "rushes" supported by the unit’s own fire.
The Cheshire Regiment were on the right of the battalion but the Black Watch, who were due to cover the left flank, had been seriously delayed. This left the Hertfordshire Regiment seriously exposed, the Germans exploited this by bringing a hurricane of fire down upon the stricken troops. This was followed by a German counterattack and by 10.30am it was clear that the objective could not be achieved. Casualties were very heavy with 459 men being killed, missing or wounded. This was 100% of its Officers and about 75% of its Other Ranks.
Charles body was not recovered until February 1918 and is buried in the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Belgium.
Additional Information
After his death £2 9s 6d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother Louisa on 4 June 1 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £7 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 4 November 1919.
His pension cards record his mother, as his next of kin, still living at Bassetts Green, Walkern, Herts. She was awarded a pension of 3s 6d a week from 26 March 1918, increased to 5s from November 1918. The records were amended when they moved to 2 Beecroft Cottages, Walkern. After she died it was amended to her husband, Samuel who had moved to Beecroft Cottage, High Street, Hitchin.
His Death Palque and scroll wrer sent to his father on 16 August 1919.
*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. This man was from Walkern and served with the Hertfordshire Regiment and he is the man listed on the latter memorial. Rifleman 9919, C Spicer did not serve with the Hertfordshires, but was born and lived in Hitchin and therefore we believe him to be the man on other Hitchin memorials mentioned.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson, Jonty Wild
