First World War Canadian 1914-15 Star – Private Albert George Spice, 1st Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force – Died 1916
1914-15 Star – A-767 PTE A. SPICE. 1/CAN:INF:
Albert George Spice was born on 11 November 1895 at Fulham, London, the elder son of Frederick James Spice, a stage carriage conductor, and Mabel Emily Spice (née Baldry). In the 1901 Census the family were living at 42 Barclay Street, Fulham, with Albert aged five and his younger brother Arthur John Spice aged three.
In 1899 his mother remarried Herbert Alexander Benn, and by the time of the 1911 Census she was living at 150 Northcroft Road, West Ealing, under her married name Benn. This address would later be formally recorded as Albert’s next-of-kin address.
In March 1906, aged ten, Albert was sent to Canada as a British Home Child, travelling aboard the R.M.S. Dominion under the auspices of Dr Barnardo’s Homes, accompanied by his younger brother Arthur. They arrived at Portland, Maine, on 20 March 1906, en route to Canada, and were subsequently placed in Ontario. By the 1911 Canadian Census, Albert was living with Elizabeth and Leonard Allen in Essex, Ontario, listed as an adopted son.
On 28 January 1915, at Windsor, Ontario, he attested for service in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, giving his occupation as farmer and his religion as Methodist. He stated his date of birth as 11 November 1895 and named his next of kin as Mrs Benn (formerly Spice), 150 North Cross Road, West Ealing, London. He was allotted service number A/767.
He sailed for England as part of the 33rd Battalion, C.E.F. (1st Reinforcing Draft) and was later posted to the 1st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment) in France.
In January 1916 he began suffering from symptoms initially diagnosed as myalgia. On 10 March 1916 he was admitted to No. 2 General Hospital, Le Havre, where he was later diagnosed with cerebro-spinal meningitis. His condition was considered serious, and on 4 May 1916 he was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Hampshire, for further treatment. Although he briefly rallied and was removed from the danger list, his recovery was short-lived.
Private Albert George Spice died on 6 June 1916, aged 20, of cerebro-spinal meningitis. He is buried in Netley Military Cemetery, Hampshire, Grave N. 358. His Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry records his mother as Mabel Benn (formerly Spice), of 150 Northcroft Road, West Ealing, London, and bears the family inscription:
“GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN NEVER WILL THY MEMORY FADE LOVED BY ALL.”
Albert’s younger brother, Private Arthur John Spice (Service No. 401565), was later killed in action on 9 September 1916, meaning that both sons of Frederick and Mabel Spice were lost in the war.
Albert George Spice’s story is that of a London-born Home Child sent to Canada, who returned to Europe in uniform with the Canadian Expeditionary Force and died not from enemy fire, but from one of the feared infectious diseases of the First World War.
PLEASE NOTE: All research will be sent to the buyer via email. I am unable to provide printed copies, as I do not have access to a printer.
Visit my website for better prices on most of my stock.
AJMS Medals