Spence J.W.

JOHN WILLIAM SPENCE (1891-1917)

4/8777 Serjeant John William Spence, 2^nd Battalion the Durham Light Infantry died of wounds 1 December 1917 and he is buried at Ribecourt British Cemetery, France. He is commemorated on the Evenwood War Memorial, Butterknowle War Memorial and memorial in St. Mary’s Church, Staindrop.[1] He was 27 years old, married to Ellen and they had 2 children Robert and Monica.

Family Details:

John William was born 1890 [2] at Staindrop the son of Joseph and Charlotte Spence. There were at least 10 children, all born at Staindrop:

Sarah A. bc.1886
Mary E. bc.1888
Thomas bc.1890
John William born 1890
Charlotte bc.1892
Alfred bc.1894
Louisa bc.1897
Elizabeth bc.1900
Emily bc.1902
Joseph bc.1906 [3]

Joseph worked as a builder.[4] By 1911, Joseph and Charlotte lived at the Slack, Butterknowle. He worked as a stone mason. John aged 20 and Alfred aged 17 were coal miners (putters) and Louisa aged 14 had no occupation so presumably helped her mother at home. Elizabeth aged 11 was at school. Emily aged 9 and Joseph aged 5 were at home. [5] In 1913 John W. Spence married Ellen Wappett.[6] By 1914, John W. Spence was living at Bowes Close Farm with his wife Ellen and 2 children Robert William and Monica. [7]

Military Details:

John William Spence joined the 4^th Durham Light Infantry in August 1914. The 4^th (Extra Reserve) Battalion (4/DLI) was formed in August 1914 at Barnard Castle and was a depot/training unit which moved to Killingworth in December and Forest Hall in January 1915 and finally to Seaham Harbour in September 1915 as part of the Tyne Garrison. [8] He was given the regimental number 4/8777. He was 23 years 232 days old when he attested 10 August 1914 and worked as a miner. He was 5ft 8¾” tall and weighed 146 lbs. [9] The Evenwood Parish Magazine confirms that John Spence joined the 4^th Battalion DLI [10] This battalion remained in Britain throughout the war.

His service record is as follows:[11]

Home: 10.08.1914 – 09.06.1915……………………..304 days
France: 10.06.1915 – 08.08.1915………………………60 days
Home: 09.08.1915 – 09.05.1916……………………..274 days
France: 10.05.1916 – 01.12.1917……………..1 yr….206 days

Total………………3yrs…114 days

Private J.W. Spence served 60 days in France between 10 June and 8 August 1915 serving with 10/DLI.[12] During this period 10/DLI was in Belgium around Ypres. 10/DLI came under the orders of the 43^rd Brigade, 14^th (Light) Division.[13] The 14^th Division held the line across the Menin Road below the 6^th Division opposite Hooge.

16 June 1915: the 3^rd Division which held the line to the south of the 14^th Division attacked on the night of 15/16 June towards the hamlet of Hooge south of Bellewaarde Lake. The second German line was reached but the attack fell away. The 42^nd Brigade, 14^th Division was ordered to support the 3^rd Division attack but due to heavy casualties caused by heavy German shellfire, the attack fell away. Two further attempts to seize the German line were made by the 24^th Division in the area of Railway Wood but broke down under heavy fire.

30 July: the 41^st Brigade, 14^th Division held the front at Hooge Crater which had been blown by the Germans on the night of 29/30 July and they were attacked by liquid fire (Flammenwerfer). Some trenches were lost and attempts by the 2 brigades, the 41^st and 42^nd of the 14^th Division to retake the lost trenches failed. Three battalions of the 43^rd Brigade including 10/DLI then relieved the 41^st Brigade which had taken heavy casualties.

It was then decided to relieve 14^th Division by the 6^th Division which was a regular army division.[14] A later attack by the 18^th Brigade with 2/DLI was regarded as a success although 2/DLI suffered heavy casualties 9 August 1915 at Hooge.

Private J.W. Spence was back home between 9 August 1915 and 9 May 1916, probably serving with 3/DLI another Reserve Battalion based at South Shields. 13 January 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

10 May 1916: Private J.W. Spence left for France and made out his will on that day. He left all his possessions to his mother, Charlotte Ann Spence of 36 the Slack, Butterknowle.[15] It is assumed that he was transferred to 2/DLI at that time. He was promoted 17 February 1917 to Corporal then Lance Serjeant 19 June 1917.[16] 4/8777 Serjeant John William Spence served with 2/DLI “A” Company. [17]

2/DLI came under the orders of 18^th Brigade 6^th Division which landed at St. Nazaire 10 September 1914. It proceeded to the Western Front where it remained throughout the war. It arrived in time to reinforce the BEF on the Aisne before the whole army was moved north to Flanders. The 18^th Brigade comprised:

1^st Battalion, the West Yorkshire Regiment
1^st Battalion, the East Yorkshire Regiment
11^th (Service) Battalion, the Essex
2^nd Battalion, the Sherwood Foresters
2^nd Battalion, the DLI
14^th (Service) Battalion, the DLI
1/16^th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment
18^th Brigade Machine Gun Company
18^th Trench Mortar Battery

2/DLI battle honours include:

Aisne 1914
Armentieres 1914
Hooge 1915
Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Le Transloy, Somme 1916
Hill 70, Cambrai 1917
Somme 1918. [18]

The onset of winter, 1917 brought about another major British offensive began at Cambrai which was to be the final campaign for Serjeant John W. Spence.

The Battle of Cambrai: 20 November – 7 December 1917: an overview [19]

In popular mythology, the Battle of Cambrai ranks as one of the most thrilling episodes of the whole war – at last, tanks came into their own and the notion that the Hindenburg Line was impregnable was exploded. However, the early success was not capitalised upon and the German counter attack regained much land and even captures areas previously held by the British.

Cambai was an important railhead which lay at the junction of railways connecting Douai, Valenciennes and Saint-Quentin an also was located on the Saint-Quentin Canal. Also, it was an important HQ and billeting town. As a military target, its capture would deny the enemy of a key part of their communication system.

As usual, the offensive was preceded by an artillery bombardment – 1000 guns and howitzers firing 900,000 rounds of shells opened up at 6.10am on the 20^th November but the secret weapon was the 476 Mark IV tanks, the entire strength of the Tank Corps. On the right the 12^th (Eastern) Division moved forward. The 20^th (Light) Division, the 6^th Division, the 51^st (Highland) Division, the 62^nd (2^nd West Riding) Division and the 36^th (Ulster) Division moved forward. The 6^th Division crossed the Hindenburg Line and captured Ribecourt and fought as far as and through Marcoing. The 5^th Cavalry advance through them but were repulsed at Noyelies.

27 November: the Third Army closed down offensive operations and units were ordered to consolidate. Three days later the German Army struck back. On the right flank, the break into the British positions was swift – the defending 55^th (West Lancashire) Division and much of the 12^th (Eastern) and 20^th (Light) Divisions evaporated. By 9.00am on the 30^th November, the Germans had penetrated almost 3 miles towards Havrincourt Wood and the Third Army faced disaster.

3 December: Haig ordered a retirement – the plan had failed and although some ground had been gained, a small salient remained at Flesquires in an exposed position but some ground had been lost to the advancing enemy.

Between 20 November and 8 December, British losses of dead, wounded and missing amounted to 44,207. Of these, approx. 6,000 had been taken prisoner. German losses were estimated at 45,000.

An account of the 6^th Division [20]

The Divisional Diary informs:

“Nov. 15^th -19^th – Commenced march to Cambrai front

20^th – Battle of Cambrai – 16^th Infantry Brigade on right, 71^st Infantry Brigade on left, 18^th passed through – broke both systems of Hindenburg Line, capturing Ribecourt and Premy Chapel Ridge – first company into Marcoing – over 1,100 prisoners ans 23 guns.

All objectives gained with few casualties by 12 noon.

21^st –Action of 14^th D.L.I. supporting cavalry in advance to Cantaing

26^th – 27^th – 18^th Infantry Brigade extended front to Cantaing. 1^st Buffs cleared and occupied Noyelles.

30^th – Enemy counter attack in force on the Third Army. 16^th Infantry Brigade moved from Divisional Reserve to near Beaucamps and ordered to counter attack on Gouzeaucourt – found guards already in possession. Arranged to attack by night on La Vacquerie-Gonnelieu – attack unsuccessful. Gallant action of the 18^th Infantry Brigade transport under Shea QM, 2^nd D.L.I. and Paul, Transport Officer, 1^st West Yorks – both died of wounds.

Night Dec. 2/3 – 16^th Infantry Brigade relieved part of 29^th Division north of St. Quentin Canal”

More detail is provided:

“The 18^th Infantry Brigade advanced without tanks…The 18^th Infantry Brigade pushed through the 71^st Infantry Brigade and secured Premy Chapel Ridge in good time…The West Yorks and the 2^nd D.L.I. each charged over the Premy Ridge spur and captured a battery at the point of the bayonet……On the night of the 26/27^th November the 18^th Infantry Brigade extended its left up to the south east edge of Cantaing….the enemy delivered a heavy counter attack on the morning of 30^th November….the Germans reached Gouzeaucourt at about 9am but were stoutly opposed by transport details of the 18^th Infantry Brigade…and checked the enemy in a portion of the village until it was retaken by the Guards about midday.

The 2/DLI and 14/DLI were heavily involved in this battle with the 14/DLI on the night of the 2/3 December “having stiff fighting” across and astride the canal to the east of Marcoing, an action which inflicted casualties of 15 officers and 262 other ranks, more than half being killed. Captain Lascelles gained his VC here.

10 December: the Division was withdrawn, after 3 strenuous weeks, to the Basseux area to the south west of Arras. A further report notes:

“The only other incidents of note were the repulse by the 18^th Infantry Brigade of a half-hearted enemy attack on Cantaing on the 1^st December and D.H.Q. being three times shelled out of its headquarters between 30^th November and 9^th December.”

30 November: there was heavy enemy shelling causing a number of casualties. Second Lieutenant Adlington was killed and the Germans broke through at Gouzecourt. Captain Shea was mortally wounded and 4 Other Ranks were wounded.

1 December: the enemy landed another attack at Cantaing from Lafoilie Wood and the ridge to the south of it. This was driven back.

“30 Nov: Enemy heavily shelled our line causing a number of casualties. 2 Lieut. Adlington killed.

On the enemy breaking through GOUZECOURT Captain & 2Lt. Shea organised every possible man including details (2 m.sgts. tailors, shoemakers etc) and held our important ???? south of GOUZECOURT. Until relieved by the Guards Brigade. Capt. Shea mortally wounded and 4OR wounded.

Special letter of congratulations from GOC 29^th Div.

1 Dec 1917: At 1.45pm enemy launched an attack against our position at CANTAING from LAFOLIE WOOD and the ridge south of J. He was driven back by a good shrapnel barrage, Lewis gun, machine gun & rifle fire and did not repeat his offensive.

1 / 2 night: Bn. was relieved by 11^th Essex Regt. and took up positions in Reserve System KAISER TRENCH L20G. Lt. Col. McCullagh returned……..” [21]

1 December 1917: 4/8777 Sergeant J.W. Spence died of wounds at 18^th Field Ambulance.[22]

Later research records that Second Lieutenant G.W. Adlington was killed in action and Captain J.P.L. Shea MC died of wounds and 6 Other Ranks serving with the 2/DLI were killed in action or died of wounds on this date. [23] It is reasonable to assume that Serjeant J.W. Spence was one of the 4 Other Ranks wounded as a result of enemy action on 30 November/1 December 1917.

The 6^th Division suffered 1,790 casualties between 20 November and 10 December 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. [24]

In Memoriam

5 December 1918: Auckland & County Chronicle:

“Roll of Honour: In Memoriam: Spence

In memory of Sergt. J.W. Spence of Slack, Butterknowle, 2 DLI, killed in action in France 1st December 1917.

In our home you are fondly remembered

Sweet memories cling round your name

And those who have always loved you

Will love you in death just the same

Ever remembered by his loving brother and sister in law, Alf and Sithie.”

Burial

Sergeant J.W. Spence is buried at grave reference I.D.21 Ribecourt British Cemetery. Ribecourt is a village about 10km south west of Cambrai. On 20 November 1917, the 6^th Division took the village at the conclusion of the Battle of Cambrai and it remained practically on the front line. The cemetery was begun by the 6^th Division in November 1917 and used until March 1918 when it was recaptured during the German spring offensive. [25]

References:

[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[2] England & Wales Birth Index 1837-1915 vol.10a p.249 Auckland 1890Q2

[3] 1901 & 1911 census

[4] 1901 census

[5] 1911 census

[6] England & Wales Marriage Index 1837-1915 Vol.10a p.342 Auckland 1913Q1

[7] Army Forms B.59 & W.5080

[8] http://www.1914-1918.net/dli.htm

[9] Army Form B.178 Medical History

[10] Evenwood Parish Magazine April 1915

[11] Military History Sheet