Henry Spademan
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Henry was the eldest child of Henry and Alice Spademan (née Clay). His father Henry was born in Muskham, Nottinghamshire, in 1872, the son of John and Charlotte Spademan; he was baptised at South Muskham St Wilfrid on 23 June 1872. In 1891 Henry was living at 'The Sportsman', Main Road, Norton Disney nr. Newark, a servant (wagoner) in the household of William Justin, a farmer and innkeeper. His mother Alice Clay was born in Besthorpe, Nottinghamshire, in about 1871/72. Henry and Alice were married at South Muskham St Wilfrid on 25 July 1893 and by 1911 had eight children and subsequently at least three others. Henry jnr. was born in Newark but his ten siblings were born in Mansfield: Henry b. 1893, Annie b. 1896, Walter birth registered 1899 (J/F/M), John b. 1897, Alfred birth registered 1903 (J/F/M), William b. 1904, Lily (Lillie) b. 1907, Ernest b. 1909, Nellie b. 1911), Fred b. either 1912 or 1914 and Doris b. 1918. In 1901 Henry (29), a railway labourer, and Alice (29) were living on East Street, Stapleford, with their four children, Henry (7), Annie (4), Walter (2) and John (1). The family had moved to 30 Sandy Lane, Mansfield, by 1911. Henry was a general labourer. All eight of their children were in the home on the night of the census: Henry a collier, Annie a factory hand, Walter, John, Alfred (9), William (6), Lily (4) and Ernest (2). Also in the household was Henry's brother, Arthur Spademan (32), a general labourer. The family was living at 16 Heywood Street, Mansfield, when Henry jnr. enlisted in September 1914. This was still his parent's address when Alice completed a form for the army in 1919 listing her late son's surviving blood relatives, all of whom were living at 16 Heywood Street: Parents: Henry and Alice Brothers: Walter (20), John (19), Alfred (16), William (14), Ernest (10), Fred (6). Sisters: Annie (22), Lily (12), Nellie (8) and Doris (4 months). Walter married Edith Annie Evans (née Armstrong) in 1919. Edith was the widow of Samuel Evans who served in the 11th Bn Sherwood Foresters (268907 Private) and was killed in October 1917 shortly after his marriage and the birth of a daughter. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Henry's parents were still living at 16 Heywood Street when the later CWGC record was compiled.
Henry Spademan enlisted in the Territorial Force on a four year engagement (or duration of the war) on 9 September 1914. He transferred to embodied service the same day and was posted to the 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters. He served at home from 9 September 1914 until 1 March 1915 then France from 2 March 1915. Two months later on 25 May 1915 Henry was shot while on sentry duty. He was buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. D.58).
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Thy will be done' Mansfield Reporter, 18 September 1914 (extract): ‘Forest Town Men Enlist. Big Crowds to See Them Off. It was a gallant band of fine strapping young fellows who left Mansfield on Monday to strengthen the Territorial force. They came from Forest Town and marched through the town, headed by a band. Hundreds of people turned out to see them .. and subsequently left by train for Newark. There was a tremendously big crowd at the station to give the men a cheery send-off … [list of names] H Spademan, 16 Heywood-street.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 10 June 1915: published photograph of Private Spademan. Mansfield Reporter, 25 June 1915: ‘8th Sherwood Foresters Ranks Thinned. Towards the end of last week Mansfield and district received bad news of her sons fighting in France … The first intelligence received tht the 8th Sherwood Foresters’ Battalion had been in the thick of the fighting, announced the death of Lieut. Humphrey Hollins, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Wm Hollins, Berry Hill … Then came the sad intelligence of other brave lads’ deaths: Corporal Wilson and Privates Frank Hill, Armitage, (of Carter Lane), and Spademan. On the same day Private Percy May was killed, but it was not until Monday of this week that his father was apprised of the fact … Memorial Service. A memorial service to Lieutenant Hollins was held in St Peter’s Church on Saturday afternoon … The service was conducted by the vicar (Rev FJ Adams), who also took a similar service held in the parish church on Sunday evening, to the memory of Lieut Hollins, Corporal Wilson and Privates Hill, Armitage, and Spademan … Five of their communicants had gone in a week – Humphrey Hollins, Charles Wilson, Frank Hill and from St Lawrence’s there were Privates Armitage and Spademan.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
