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Pte. Francis Patrick Spencer
British Army 2nd Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
from:Bradford, West Yorkshire
When the UK declared war on Germany on 4th of August 1914, Francis Spencer was stationed, with the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, at Dover. Ten months had elapsed since he had enlisted as a professional soldier. He had walked from his home in Bradford, to the recruiting office in Halifax, with two mates, to escape the drudgery and low wages of the textile mills. Now at the age of 19 he was on the brink of being sent to war.
However, fearing a possible invasion, the 2nd Inniskillings along with 12th Brigade, 4th Division were sent to Norfolk. The main B.E.F had landed at Boulogne on August 18. As it became clear a German invasion was not imminent the 4th Division was also sent to France, landing at Le Havre on August 22nd, just in time to bolster the British Army who were now retreating from Mons. Francis and the 2nd Inniskillings would get their first taste of action on August 26 at the Battle of Le Cateau where they were protecting the II Corps extreme left flank in the village of Esne.
As the retreat continued, the 2nd Inniskillings provided rearguard cover for II Corps when required. Then they were involved in the Battles of The Marne and Aisne. October saw the 2nd Inniskillings moved to Flanders and Armentieres where they saw action at Le Gheer, Pont Rouge on the Lys Canal, Messines, Douve Farm and Ploegsteert Wood before moving to HQ in December 1914. The battalion had lost about 240 men killed and numerous others wounded and was in bad need of new soldiers to make up the battalions strength. With the new Service Battalions starting to come over to France and other campaigns opening up, Francis Spencer was transferred to the 6th Battalion Royal Inniskillings and saw action at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. He became ill with Malaria and was evacuated to hospital. His Battalion went on to Salonika without him and once he was sufficiently recovered, Francis was once again transferred to the 9th Battalion and saw action at the Somme and again in the Ypres Salient.
He ended his war with the 'Fighting 9th' and, after a spell in Canada, lived in Bradford until his death in the late 1960s.
