Aug 8, 1895

Born at Scarborough Ontario to Harvey James Henry and Elizabeth (nee Hart) Spenceley

Mar 22, 1916

Attested into the 109^th Battalion at Haliburton Ontario 

Ø      Number 724152

Ø      Next of kin given as Elizabeth Spenceley (mother) of Cedar Grove Ontario

Ø      His current address was given as West Guilford Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation was given as School Teacher

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company 

On enlistment he stated that he was the sole supporter of his widowed mother, Elizabeth Spenceley, who had moved to Uxbridge Ontario by July of 1916

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the RMS Olympic at Halifax Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp

Aug 16, 1916

The Battalion moved to the Bramshott Camp

Oct 5, 1916

He was transferred to the 21^st Battalion as part of a draft of 100 Other Ranks

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at the Rouelles Camp, Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 22, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion at Bully Grenay where the Battalion was part of the Divisional Reserve and assigned to “C” Company

Apr 2, 1917

Appointed to rank of Acting Sergeant with pay to replace Sgt Crerar 59216 who had been posted to the Canadian Corps Staging Camp as Divisional Orderly Sgt

Apr 9, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl Stillman 59921 who had been promoted

Aug 15, 1917

During the fighting at Hill 70 he received a shrapnel wound to his left leg that was caused by an Allied shell which fell short of it’s target 

Admitted to the No 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) and transferred the same day to the No 23 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) where surgery was performed on his wounds. 

For his actions on this date he was recommended for the Military Medal

Aug 17, 1917

Transferred to the No 6 British Red Cross Hospital at Etaples

Aug 23, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Pieter de Coninck

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital and reverted to his permanent rank of L/Cpl.  The reduction in rank was later cancelled 

Admitted to the Guildford War Hospital, Guildford, south west of London

Nov 2, 1917

Awarded the Military Medal per the London Gazette #30364

Nov 14, 1917

Transferred to the No 4 Canadian General Hospital at Basingstoke

Feb 5, 1918

Discharged from hospital and placed On Command to the 3^rd CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) at Seaford

May 7, 1918

Attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford but remained at the 3^rd CCD

Jun 6, 1918

Discharged from the Convalescent Depot and proceeded to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Jun 17, 1918

Ceased to be On Command and TOS the Depot Company of the EORD at Seaford

Jun 22, 1918

On Command to the APM (Assistant Provost Martial) at Seaford for duty

Aug 1, 1918

TOS the Head Quarters Sub Staff at Seaford while employed by the Provost Martial’s Office

Sep 24, 1918

TOS the EORD at Seaford

Sep 27, 1918

Attached to the No 14 Canadian General Hospital at Eastbourne for duty

Dec 28, 1918

On Command to the MRD (Manitoba Regimental Depot) at Witley

Jan 6, 1919

Ceased to be On Command to the MRD and attached to the EORD Depot Company

Jan 21, 1919

On Command to the Canadian Concentration Camp at Rhyl pending return to Canada

Feb 20, 1919

Embarked the SS Lapland at Liverpool England

Mar 1, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston Ontario

Mar 27, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued number 91148

Ø      War Service Badge Class “C” issued number 55466

Ø      Rank on discharge Lance Corporal

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Uxbridge Ontario

Mar 26, 1922

The British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at Uxbridge Ontario

Jun 1, 1924

Graduated from Queen’s University School of Medicine 

He is shown on the Canadian Active Militia List with the Rank of Capt in the Queen’s University COTC (Canadian Officer Training Corps in 1925 and 1927

From the Tobermory Ontario Medical History

Jun 24, 1933

Married to Edith Oriel Vail at Owen Sound Ontario

Apr 11, 1934

A son was born to Harold and Edith Spenceley that died 4 hours after being born.  Dr. Spenceley was the attending physician and signed the death certificate.  The son’s name was Ernest Govan Spenceley.  I mention this here because the Lieut who led Harold Spenceley into battle at Hill 70 was named Walter Tait Govan, and he was killed in that action.  It would seem that Dr. Spenceley wanted to honour his fallen Platoon Commander by naming a son after him.  Ernest Govan Spenceley is buried in the Dunk’s Bay Cemetery, Bruce County Ontario

Dec 4, 1937

Dr. Harold Spenceley died at the St Thomas Memorial Hospital following complications from surgery.  An obituary from the Toronto Globe and Mail, December 6, 1937:

He was buried in the Dunk’s Bay Cemetery, Bruce County Ontario