Archibald Edwin Spencer
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Archibald (Arch) Edwin was born in 1888 in West Bridgford and was the son of Edwin Thomas, a railway clerk, and Eliza Ann Spencer née Saywell. His father Edwin Thomas Spencer was born in 1863 in Nottingham and his mother Eliza Ann Saywell was born in 1865 also in Nottingham. They were married in 1887 in Nottingham and went on to have six children, sadly two were to die in infancy or early childhood prior to 1911. Their surviving children were Archibald Edwin b1888 West Bridgford, Gladys Ada b1893 Nottingham, Sydney Jesse b 1898 West Bridgford and Constance Irene b1903 Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family was living at 3 Cromford Road, West Bridgford, and shown as Edwin Thomas 48 yrs a railway clerk, his wife Eliza Ann 46 yrs and their children Archibald Edwin a 22 yrs a drapers' assistant, Gladys Ada 18 yrs a book binder, Sydney Jesse 13 yrs a scholar and Constance Irene 8 yrs a scholar. The family was still living at 3 Cromford Road when Archibald was killed in May 1916. His brother Sydney also served in France.
Private Archibald Edwin Spencer enlisted in Nottingham on 14th November 1914. He was 26 yrs and 5 months old and living at 3 Cromford Road, West Bridgford. Archibald served in the 7th battalion (Robin Hoods) Sherwood Foresters as a machine gunner. He landed in France on 28th February 1915. Archibald died of wounds on 29th May 1916 in Boulogne Military Hospital and was buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery (grave ref. I.D.5).
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Peace with Honour' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 5 June 1916: ‘Spencer. Died of wounds May 29th, AE Spencer, machine gunner, Sherwood Foresters, of 3, Cromford-road, West Bridgford (late J Snook and Co.) aged 27 years. A noble life he lived, a noble death he died, that we might live. Sorrowing mother, father, brother, and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 10 June 1916: ‘Spencer. Died of wounds, May 29th, Arch. Spencer, Sherwood Foresters. Greatly esteemed friend of Bob Walters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). Excerpts from a letter to his parents by Pte. Archibald Edwin Spencer, 1/7th (Robin Hoods) Battalion Sherwood Foresters were published on 30th April 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post. “LUCKY ROBIN HOODS. “A CHEERFUL LETTER FROM THE FRONT. “Private A. E. Spencer, D Company, 7th Robin Hoods, has written an optimistic letter to his parents at West Bridgford, Nottingham. “He writes: “I had your letter to me on coming out of the trenches. We have been a very lucky lot up to the present, and I hope we shall continue to be so. Of course, we have lost several fellows, but we cannot expect to go through a campaign without losses ... It is the receipt of letters from those at home that cheers us on to victory, which is certain to be ours. In fact it must, and shall be, as our very existence depends upon it. “I have seen quite sufficient to realise what it would mean to those who are dear to us at home if we did not come out and put a stop to the devilish work of these miserable Huns. When you see people who have lost their all and are homeless, fatherless, and friendless it makes one thank God that one is strong and able to come forth to fight a common foe and a bloodthirsty race. “You can take it from me our boys will make a name for themselves, as we are quite hardened to all sight, and mean to see it through at all costs.” 'In memoriam' notice published 29th May 1917 in Nottingham Evening Post :- “SPENCER. – In fond remembrance of our dear son, Pte. A. E. Spencer, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters (late of Snook's), killed in action May 29th, 1916, of 3, Cromford-road, West Bridgford. He marched away so bravely, his young head proudly held, his footsteps never faltered, his courage never failed; there on the field of battle he calmly took his place, he fought and died for England and the honour of his race. – Sadly missed by his mother, father, sisters, and brother Sydney (in France). “SPENCER. – In loving memory of my dear and only brother, Private A. E. Spencer (Arch), 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, who fell May 29th, 1916, late of 3, Cromford-road, West Bridgford; with Snook's 14 years. He did not shirk his duty, he fought the good fight with all his might, now gained his grand reward. – Ever remembered by his brother Sydney (serving in France).” Above report and notices courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
