Alfred Spreckley

He served with 134 Battery He died of wounds and was buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais, France (grave ref. V.F.30).

His surname has been spelt incorrectly on the memorial. Alfred is also commemorated on the parish war memorial, St James' Church, Burton Lazars, Leicestershire. The following information is courtesy of Leicestershire and Rutland Roll of Honour (www.leicestershirewarmemorials.co.uk/war/casualty/view/15099): 'He was the son of Edward Spreckley, a farmer, born 1854 in Freeby, Leicestershire, and his wife Alice Spreckley (nee Maltby, married in the 4th quarter of 1883 in the Spilsby, Lincolnshire district), born 1859 in Old Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, and who [Alice] died in the 3rd quarter of 1896 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, aged 38 years. 'Alfred’s father married [secondly] Betsy Drewery in the 2nd quarter of 1900 in the Brighton Sussex district, and who was born in 1863 in North Somercotes, Lincolnshire. Alfred was born in the 4th quarter of 1894 in Burton Lazars, Leicestershire his siblings were, Richard, born 1885, Tom, born 1890, Walter, born 1892 and Robert, born 1893, all his siblings were born in Burton Lazars, also residing with the family was Alfred’s widowed paternal grandmother, Jane Spreckley (nee Watchorn), born 1821 in Edmondthorpe, Leicestershire, and two his step aunts, Gertrude Drewery, born 1876 and Kate Hey, Drewery, born 1879, the latter two aunts were both born in North Somercotes. 'In March 1901 the family home was at Gas Tree Hill Lodge, Burton Lazars. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a chemist and was residing in the family home at Burton Lazars, together with his father a farmer, his step mother and siblings, Richard, a farm worker and Tom a farm worker. Also residing with the family was his paternal uncle Richard Spreckley, a farm worker, born 1857 in Freeby and his two step aunts, Gertrude Drewery and Lily Drewery, born 1887 in North Somercotes. 'On Friday April 5th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – DEATH OF BOMBARDIER A. SPRECKLEY. – On Tuesday morning a telegram was received notifying the death from wounds of Bombardier Alfred Spreckley, Royal Field Artillery, youngest son of the late Mr. Edward Spreckley, Burton Lazars. Deceased who was 22 years of age, voluntarily joined up shortly after the declaration of war, and had been at the front considerably over two years. At the time of his enlistment deceased had served three and half years of his apprenticeship at the Melton branch of Messrs. Boots Ltd., cash chemists, and was well known and very popular in the town.'