Name
(A) George Frederick Spriggs
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/10/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
53738
Canadian Infantry
18th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIMY MEMORIAL
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Books), Hitchin
Pre War
His name is shown as ‘A.F.’ on the Hitchin War Memorial and ‘G.F.’ at the National Defence Headquarters of Canada, but it is reasonably certain to be the same person. His Service Number was 53738. He had been born in Hitchin on the 4th October 1895 and attended St. Saviour's School but as a boy went to Canada. He worked on a farm for three years and then on the Canadian Pacific Railway as an operator.
His attestation papers provide the following information. He enlisted on the 3rd November 1914 and his next of kin was recorded as Albert Alton of Belfast, Ontario and he had been serving in the Canadian Militia. He was 5’ 7” with a fair ruddy complexion, had blue eyes and light brown hair
Wartime Service
The date of his death coincides with a Canadian advance north of Corcelette east of Thiepval in the Somme Sector. At 3.15pm on the 1st October 1916 the 18th Battalion in the 4th Brigade of the 2nd Canadian Division attacked Regina Trench east of the Miraumont Road from Courcelette. At about that time that he had been recommended for a commission, but was killed in action.
He has no known grave, but is remembered on the Vimy Memorial to the Missing, Pas de Calais in France.
Additional Information
His brother Ernest had been staying with a Mrs Stratton of 44, Dacre Road, Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
