Oct 2, 1894

Born in Ottawa, Ontario to John Lancaster and Elizabeth “Eliza” Garland (nee Cochrane) Spence

Feb 16, 1916

Attested into the 154^th Battalion CEF in Cornwall, Ontario

Ø  Number 633487

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. JL Spence, mother, 195 Turner St., Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Stenographer

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Methodist

Ø  Assigned to the Headquarters Company

 
The battalion trained in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

Oct 25, 1916

Embarked the SS Mauretania in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Oct 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to Bramshott to continue training

Nov 1, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant and employed as Orderly Room Clerk

Feb 24, 1917

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 85 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

May 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Spence joined the 21^st Battalion in the support trench near Vimy Ridge, France

Aug 25, 1917

Proceeded on course

Sep 8, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from course

Nov 3, 1917

During the night of 2^nd/3^rd the 21^st Battalion moved into the Passchendaele front near Crest Farm.  Almost immediately the enemy attacked and entered the battalion’s trenches.  Once the attack was repelled, the battalion came under constant artillery fire.  Private Spence was instantly killed by a shrapnel shell and he was buried in a trench near Crest Farm along with other casualties.  When the war ended, his remains could not be located for reburial in a cemetery and as such his name is listed on the panels of the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium, for those killed during the war in Belgium with no known grave.

 
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. J.L. Spence, 195 Turner St., Ottawa, Ontario

 
The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, John L. Spence, at the same address

Cecil Lancaster Spence is also remembered on a family grave marker
in the Pinecrest Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario