Lance Corporal 4177 Wilfred Cubitt Spelman
Notes from what is left of his army record.
He enlisted 9th August 1915 at Armoury House, Finsbury, London as Private 4177 Wilfred Cubitt Spelman of 16, Avenue Mansion, Clapham Common, London aged 30yrs and 1 month. Height 5 foot 6 inches, fair complexion and a scar on his left knee. His occupation was given as a Bank Clerk.
He embarked Southampton 8th January 1916 and joined his unit in the field in France 21st January 1916.
6th November he was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal in the field
He was reported missing and recorded for official purpose as having died between 13th and 15th November 1916. in Beaumont Hamel, France
His father William, sent a letter dated 15th January 1923 to the London Infantry Office, Gloucester Gate Buildings, Regent's Park, N.W.1 enquiring about the Memorial that was to be sent to him On the 23rd January 1916 he got a reply from Captain V.G.Gibson, Officer i/c Infantry Records, London to William Spelman at 7, Chancery Lane, W.C.2 that the Plaque in respect of your late gallant son No 4177 L/Cpl W.C. Spelman will be forwarded to him during the course of the next month.
Wills and Probate
Wilfred Cubitt Spelman of 6, Thirsk Road, Lavender Hill, Surrey died on or since 13th November 1916 in Beumont Hamel France. Probate, London 20th March. His effects of 439, 12s 4d went to his father William Spelman, Insurance clerk
He was a Lance Corporal in "A" Coy and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme France. he was the son of William and Ellen Mary of 6, Thirsk Road, Lavender Hill, Surrey,
In 1911 he was living with his parents and siblings Alec William Edric and Harold Douglas (died 10 October 1953) at 75, Elspeth Road, Clapham Common, Battersea, S W
His brother, Elec fought and survived the Great War. The following are some notes from what is left of his army record
He enlisted on the 25th September 1914 at Chelsea aged 26, as Driver T4/238741. He was born in Battersea on the 26th November 1893 he gave his age as 26, occupation, Insurance clerk, and home address as 16, Avenue, Mansions, Sisters Avenue, Clapham, London He was stationed at Norwich with the 4th Privisional Field Ambulance
21st September 1916 he was awarded the 1st Good Conduct Medal
On the 10th November 1916 he left Southampton and arrived at Havre, France on the 11th where he joined Army Service Base Depot.
He served in may places, France, Alexandria, Salonica, Mesopotamia.
He was admitted to hospital at Deir-el-Balah on the 10th October 1917 with Sand Fly Fever. 18th October 1917 was admitted to 21st General Hospital, Alexandria, 30th October 1917 transferred to Mesopotamia and was discharged from hospital to rejoin his unit on the 5th November 1917.
3rd April 1918 he received a gunshot wound. what happened to him the information has been damaged by water.
4th July 1919 he was transferred to Z Class (Demob) at Woolwich Docks and he went home to 6, Thirsk Road.
