Private Alfred Spencer

Alfred Spencer, who also served during the First World War. He was born on October 16, 1893 in London.

The son of Edwin John Spencer and Elizabeth Garrett. They had 15 children, though not all of them survived to adulthood. In 1911, 10 children were still living with them. The family immigrated to Paris in 1912. The family lived in a house on 2nd King Street, as it was known at the time. It is now 70 Dumfries Street.

He married Rose Charlotte Caile on August 30, 1913, in Paris, and they lived with his family at 70 Dumfries Street. He was employed as a knitter for the Penman’s Sweater Department. Alfred enlisted in Paris at the age of 23 on February 12, 1916, with the 125th Battalion and he also sailed with his unit on the S.S. Scandinavian on August 7, 1916, and disembarked at Liverpool on August 18. At Bramshott on November 22, 1916, he underwent a medical exam because he had noticed at the end of July that he was unable to carry on full duties. He was short of breath on exertion. He was diagnosed with “disorderly action of the heart and he was declared fit only for permanent base duty.

Alfred worked as a machinist with the 2nd Infantry Works Company throughout the war. At some point in 1916, his wife Rose moved to England, presumably near his base. He served in England until January, 1919. He embarked from Liverpool on March 10, 1919, and disembarked in Halifax on March 18, and was discharged in Toronto on March 21, with the plan to reside in Paris.

After the war, Alfred and Rose bought a house at 45 Willow Street. They had no children. When Alfred died, he had lived in Paris 54 years and was an employee of Penmans Woollen Mills. He was member of the Legion and St. James Anglican Church. He died at the Willett Hospital on August 28, 1964, having outlived his wife by twenty-one years. They are buried together in Paris Cemetery.