Sep 21, 1874

Born in Jordan, Ontario to James Bruce and Annie (nee Wattie) Spence

Jun 4, 1902

Married to Ruth Maud Fletcher in Ottawa, Ontario

Mar 22, 1916

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

Ø  Number 633929

Ø  Next of kin given as James Bruce Spence, his 13-year-old son, 148 4^th Ave., Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Engineer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 2 ½ years in the 43^rd Regiment, Duke of Cornwall’s Own Rifles, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Presbyterian

 
The battalion trained in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario

 
I could find no date of death for his wife, Ruth, but on enlistment he claimed to be a widower and named his mother, Annie B. Spence, as his child’s guardian.  He also stated that his father, James Spence, was not alive.

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 17, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal

Nov 29, 1916

Transferred to the Machine Gun Corps Depot in Crowborough

Dec 20, 1916

Transferred to the 154^th Battalion in Witley

Jan 28, 1917

Transferred to the 156^th Battalion in Witley then the same day was transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Mar 22, 1917

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request in order to proceed to the front

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 22, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 3,000 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Apr 24, 1917

Admitted to the No. 39 Canadian General Hospital in Havre with a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined).  This was later changed to read Boils

May 21, 1917

Discharged from hospital to duty with the base depot

May 27, 1917

Arrived at No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples

Jun 7, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Spence joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France

Jun 12, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion, Private Spence joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Coupigny, France

Aug 18, 1917

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Contusions that he received during the fighting at Hill 70.  He was discharged the same day to duty with the battalion

Oct 16, 1917

Reported to the No. 2 Canadian Infantry Base Depot for duty

Oct 26, 1917

Transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool

Nov 1, 1917

Medical classification changed to read B2 meaning that he was not fit for combat duty, but fit for base duty such as medical services or garrison duty

Nov 5, 1917

Attached to the No. 5 District, Canadian Forestry Corps for duty

Nov 8, 1917

Attached to the CGBD (Canadian Garrison Base Depot) for duty

Dec 20, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the forestry corps and rejoined the garrison base depot

Jan 17, 1918

Attached to the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Trouville, France for duty

Mar 18, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to England

Mar 22, 1918

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Apr 2, 1918

Rejoined the hospital from leave

Jun 25, 1918

Reported that his mother and guardian to his child had deceased and the guardian was changed to read Mrs. John Fletcher, sister-in-law, 148 4^th Ave., Ottawa, Ontario

Dec 16, 1918

Proceeded to England and transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps Depot in Sunningdale.

 
Posted to “C” Company in Shorncliffe

Feb 14, 1919

Posted to the #3 Military District Wing in Rhyl pending return to Canada

Feb 25, 1919

Embarked the SS Megantic in Liverpool

Mar 5, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario and posted to the MD #3 Sub Depot

Mar 9, 1919

Granted leave with subsistence until March 22, 1919

Apr 30, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 231931

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 148 Fourth Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario

Following the war, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 148 Fourth Ave., Ottawa, Ontario

Dec 18, 1922

Died while a patient in the Carleton County Protestant Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario of Lobar Pneumonia and buried in the Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa.