Francis Spencer
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Francis' parents, Robert Spencer and Annie Unwin, married in 1880 registered at Retford. The following year, being the 1881 census year, saw Annie living with her parents at Babworth, with her 8 month old son named George Charles (or Charlie), whilst Robert Spencer was resident in his widowed mother’s house, possibly helping her run a 15 acre farm at 15 East Street, East Drayton. The couple settled in Babworth, Robert earning his living as a farm horseman. They had two more children, Francis (Frank) born 1883 and Fred born 1887. Around 1892 the family had moved to East Drayton where Lilian was born in 1894, Walter two years later and Cyril in 1898. By 1901, Frank and Charlie had left the family home – Charlie was working as a farm horseman in Babworth and Francis (Frank) had moved to Mansfield where he was working as a coal miner. Later that year Francis married Edith Mary Vincent Wightman at Mansfield. They had three children, Francis (d. 1921 age 18), George and Lilian, all born in Mansfield. Robert at this time was working as a publican (probably at the Harrow Inn) and a road foreman for the Rural District Council. Cyril, being the youngest at 13 was still at school. Francis' brother, Cyril, a private soldier in the North Staffordshire Regiment, was killed on 4 October 1918. Wife: Edith Mary Vincent, nee Wightman of 11 Catherine Avenue, Mansfield. Married 1901. Children: Francis Robert, born 1903, George William, born 1906 and Lilian, born 1910. Frank left £89 18s & 4d in his will.
In France from 2 February 1915. He was promoted from Company Sergeant Major. According to a report of his death in the Nottingham Evening Post, Frank had been badly wounded in 1915. He received his commission in December 1916 and was promoted to captain a few weeks before his death. He was killed at Passchendaele while attached to 2/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters and is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (grave ref. XII.A.12).
His younger brother Cyril Spencer served in the North Staffordshire Regiment and was killed on 4th October 1918.CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Rest in Peace''The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War 1914-1919, 1/8th Battalion', p.320 (Roll of Honour): 'Comp. Sergt.-Major F Spencer'. Francis' name is included in the list headed 'Other ranks who were killed or died of wounds after being granted commissions in other units.'Nottingham Evening Post, 1 October 1917: ‘The Roll of Honour. Killed. Capt. F Spencer. Information was received in Mansfield on Saturday of the death in action of Captain Frank Spencer, of the Sherwood Foresters. The deceased had risen from the ranks, and when the Sherwoods were mobilised at the outbreak of war he was a miner at Mansfield Colliery. He was badly wounded in 1915, received his commission last Christmas, and was promoted captain about a fortnight ago. He was a capable officer and very popular with his men. The news of his death has been received with much regret in Mansfield, where he was well-known amongst a wide circle of friends. He took an interest in boxing, and was also an active member of the Mansfield Swimming Club. He was 35 years of age.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Mansfield Reporter, 5 October 1917 (extract): ‘Captain Frank Spencer Killed. Captain Frank Spencer of Mansfield, attached to the Sherwood Foresters, we regret to announce has been killed in France. The news of his death was contained in the following letter from one of his friends:- Sunday, Sept. 30th, 1917. Dear Mrs Spencer, First let me tell you who is writing to you. ‘Catty’ as I am generally know, and as I think Frank has often told you. Really, Mrs Spencer, I don’t know how to break the news to you. But dear Frank was killed last Wednesday. It was in the great attack, and Frank had got his objective, and had just lit his pipe when he was hit with a piece of shell. He died at once, and cannot have suffered any pain at all. This, I know, will be a terrible blow to you, and, being Frank’s best pal out here, I want you to know if I can do anything in any respect whatever to help you. From the very first moment that Frank came out he and I have always been together, and it has been a great help to me to be with him. I have never had a truer and better friend and out here we know what a real friend is. Unfortunately I was not with him at the time, But Mr Williamson, who was one of his officers, was quite near, and therefore I am letting him forwatrd to you Frank’s pocket-book and pipe. He expects to be home on leave shortly, and to see you. Now, Mrs Spencer, do please make us of me if I can be of any use whatever. I would count it a privilege to do anything for one who was so dear to me. Keep a brave heart, Mrs Spencer, as he always did, and as I am sure he would wish you to do. Your sincere friend, A Catterall.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Possibly Lieutenant A Catterall, 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters, died 21 March 1918 aged 24, of Goole Yorkshire.Mansfield Reporter, 19 October 1917: 'Memorial Service. Evidence of the high regard and esteem in which the late Captain Frank Spencer of the Sherwoods whose death in France we recently announced, was forthcoming on Sunday evening when a memorial service was held at St Peter's Church, after evensong. before joining the Colour he was employed at the Mansfield Colliery, and many of the officials, including Mr Carter, manager at the Mansfield Colliery, the Bolsover Colliery Co., were present. Many too, of his old Territorial friends were in attendance. The vicar (Canon FJ Adams) conducted the service and made suitable and sympathetic reference to the deceased. It appears from a letter received by his friends that Captain Spencer was confirmed by the Bishop of London out in France a few weeks before he was killed.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Family grave, Mansfield Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Captain Francis Spencer, killed in action Sept. 26th 1917, aged 36 years, interred at (-), France. Also Francis Spencer who died (-) 1921 aged 18 years, son of the above. Cherished memories (-).'
