William Wainwright Spencer
worked on colliery machinery.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William Wainwright Spencer was born in 1896 in Shireoaks,he was the son of John Henry Spencer a blacksmith and his mother, Harriet Spencer née Meek of 44 Shireoaks Row, Worksop
His father John Henry was born in 1872 at Shireoaks, his mother Harriett Meek was born in 1873 at Walsingham, Norfolk, they were married in 1895 at Worksop, they had 6 children, sadly 2 were to die in infancy or early childhood.
In the 1911 census the family were living at 44 Shireoaks Row, Worksop John Henry 39 yrs is a blacksmith he is living with his wife Harriett 38 yrs and their children, William Wainwright 14 yrs a colliery screening machinist, Emmie 13 yrs, Arthur 9 yrs and Donna 7 yrs of age.
Private William Wainwright Spencer enlisted at Worksop whilst residing at Shireoaks, he served with 2/6th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He was killed in action on 21 March 1918 age 22., whilst holding the line near Noreuil, France on the opening day of the German Spring Offenive or (Kaiserschlact)
Commemorated: Arras Memorial, France. Bay 7.
Research by Colin Dannatt and Peter Gillings
Photo of William Wainwright Spencer
Arras Memorial courtesy of the cwgc