Chapter LXXVII: Part 77

=SMITH, WILLIAM OLIVER=, Stoker, 1st Class, 307471, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SMITH, WILLIAM WILTON=, A.B., 235327, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SMITH, WILLIAM JOSEPH=, Mechanician, 283349, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=BRICE-SMITH, JOHN KENNETH=, 2nd Lieut., 7th (Service) Battn. Lincolnshire Regt., yst. _s._ of the Rev. Brice Brice-Smith, Rector of Hameringham, with Winceby, Horncastle, by his wife, Kate Emily, 3rd dau. of the late John Middleton, of Benton House, Newcastle-On-Tyne; _b._ Hameringham, co. Lincoln, 2 Nov. 1894; educ. Quy Vicarage, Cambridge; Cranleigh School, Surrey, and entered at St. John’s College, Cambridge; after the outbreak of war he was given a commission in the 7th Lincolnshires, 27 Nov. 1914; went to France in July, 1915, and died 11 Sept. following, from wounds received in action the previous day, S.W. of Ypres; _unm._ Buried at Poperinghe. While at Cranleigh he was senior prefect, Colour-Sergt. in the O.T.C., a member of the School Shooting Eight, and captain of both cricket and football teams.

=BROADLEY-SMITH, ALAN FRANCIS=, Major, 5th Battn. Border Regt. (T.F.), only _s._ of William Herbert Broadley-Smith, of Ambleside, by his wife, Mary Matilda, dau. of Capt. Arthur Trollope, 36th Foot; _b._ Derby, 24 March, 1876; educ. Repton and Bruges; joined the 5th Border Regt. (T.F.) as a 2nd Lieut., 28 Jan. 1909, and was promoted Lieut. 24 Dec. following; Capt. 8 Aug. 1910, and Major 18 April, 1915; acted as Instructor of Musketry from 1910 to 1915; and was Intelligence Officer and Provost Marshal for the Barrow District; volunteered for Imperial Service on the outbreak of war, and was appointed a General Staff Officer of the 3rd Grade, on the 5 Aug. 1914; went to France, 25 Oct. 1914, and was killed in action near Hooge, 16 June, 1915, while making a reconnaissance; _unm._ Buried on the outskirts of Zouave Wood, near the Chateau there. Lieut.-Col. J. A. Milburn, Commanding 5th Border Regt. wrote: “Not only was he a great personal friend of mine, but also he was my best officer, and his death has come as a very great shock to me. His company would have followed him to the ends of the earth, and he was loved by both officers and men of the Battn. alike.” He was a fine all-round sportsman, and held the position of amateur huntsman to Mr. Curwen’s (Workington Hall) Foxhounds.

=COMPTON-SMITH, ROGER NOEL=, 2nd Lieut., 6th Battn. Manchester Regt. (T.F.), 2nd _s._ of William Compton-Smith, of Tudor Place, Richmond Green, co. Surrey, LL.B., Barrister-at-Law of the inner Temple; _b._ Hampton Court, 16 July, 1894; educ. Horton School, co. Bedford, and Heidelberg College; entered the Manchester House of Tootal Broadhurst Lee Company, Ltd., on leaving school, and in July, 1914, had arranged a tour with the representative of the firm throughout America and Canada, but, war breaking out in the following Aug. he volunteered and was given a commission in the 6th Manchesters, 5 Sept. 1914; left for Egypt a few days later; went to the Dardanelles, 2 May, 1915, and was killed in action there on the 27th. He was at the time warning his men to evacuate the trench they were in, as it had been condemned as dangerous, being enfiladed by the enemy; _unm._ Brig.-Gen. Noel Lee, who was himself shot on 4 June, and died in Malta, wrote on the 25 May: “In his duties since he joined the regt., there are none who have done better and very few as well. His whole heart was in what he undertook and as an officer he was one of the most useful and dependable in a regt. which is noted for efficiency. With the mess he was always popular and more than respected on account of his character. His men of No. 15 Platoon literally worshipped him, as he was not only their officer but their leader, who never spared himself, and their friend upon whom they could always rely for help and assistance in their work. His loss is great indeed.” While spending his school holidays at Brixham, he became a bold and skilful small boat sailor and a strong swimmer, and at Alexandria saved the life of one of his men who, while bathing, had ventured beyond the reef. He was a good all-round athlete, and a keen fisherman.

=DENROCHE-SMITH, ARCHIBALD JOHN=, Lieut., 18th (Queen Mary’s Own) Hussars, elder _s._ of Thomas Denroche-Smith, of Balhary, Meigle, co. Perth, late Judge Bengal Civil Service, by his wife, Florence Elizabeth, dau. of the late Gen. John Bayly, C.B., Col. Commandant, R.E.; _b._ Balhary, aforesaid, 30 Sept. 1890; educ. Evelyns; West Drayton, and Cheltenham College; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 18th Hussars, 23 Feb. 1910, and promoted Lieut. 10 April, 1912; went to France, 16 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action near Vendresse, during the Battle of the Aisne, 13 Sept. 1914, while leading his troop to the assistance of the 4th Dragoon Guards; _unm._ His Col. wrote: “As a soldier he had a very good chance of rising high in his profession, as he was very fond of his work, and we shall greatly miss him from among our circle, as a friend, as a soldier and as a sportsman. We had great hopes of his success in the polo world,” and his Squadron Major: “I never want to have a better officer in my squadron in time of war or peace. He was the best young officer that had joined us for a long time. I had recommended him for a decoration given by the French Government to our officers. I only hope I may meet death as gallantly as your son did, if it comes my turn.” He was Captain of the 18th Hussars polo team; had jumped at Olympia on several occasions, and won point-to-point races, and also steeplechases.

=LAWSON-SMITH, JOHN=, Lieut., 1st Battn. West Yorkshire Regt., yr. _s._ of Edward Maule Lawson-Smith, of Colton Lodge, Tadcaster, B.A., J.P., by his wife, Ethel Mary, dau. of the late Gen. Sir William Davies; _b._ Colton, co. York, 24 March, 1892; educ. Warren Hill, Eastbourne; Stubbington (Foster’s); Royal Naval College, Osborne (Cadet, 1902–3); Repton, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. West Yorkshire Regt., 3 Sept. 1913, and promoted Lieut. Oct. 1914; went to France in Sept. 1914, and was killed in action near Bois Grenier, 20–21 Oct. following; _unm._ He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 20 Nov. 1914 [London Gazette, 17 Feb. 1915], for gallant and distinguished service in the field. His brother, Lieut. T. E. Lawson-Smith, was killed in action, 30–31 Oct. 1914 (see following notice).

=LAWSON-SMITH, THOMAS EDWARD=, Lieut., 13th, attd. 11th, Hussars, eldest. _s._ of Edward Maule Lawson-Smith, of Colton Lodge, Tadcaster, B.A., J.P., by his wife, Ethel Mary, dau. of the late Gen. Sir William Davies; _b._ Colton, co. York, 14 March, 1889; educ. Warren Hill, Eastbourne, Stubbington (Foster’s), Harrow, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 13th Hussars, 15 Sept. 1909, and promoted Lieut. 6 Dec. 1913; went to France attd. to the 11th Hussars, Oct. 1914, and was killed in action near Messines, 30–31 Oct. following; _unm._ His brother, Lieut. John Lawson-Smith, was killed in action, 20–21 Oct. 1914 (see preceding notice).

=MANNERS-SMITH, FREDERICK=, Major, 2nd Battn. 3rd (Queen Alexandra’s Own) Gurkha Rifles, yst. _s._ of the late Surg.-Gen. Charles Manners-Smith, formerly of Oakfield, Kempsey, co. Worcester, I.M.S., by his wife, Lydia, dau. of Dr. Samuel Davies; _b._ Kempsey, 15 Nov. 1871; educ. Norwich and Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Gloucester Regt., 2 May, 1891, promoted Lieut. 19 Oct. 1892, transferred to the Indian Army in 1893, and joined the 3rd Gurkhas in 1895; became Capt. 10 July, 1901, and Major 2 May, 1909, being Adjutant of his battn. 1901–5; served with the relief force in the Chitral Campaign, 1895 (medal with clasp), and with the Expeditionary Force in France, 1914; died of wounds received the same day in the trenches near La Bassée, 3 Nov. 1914; buried at Bethune. He _m._ at Lucknow, 25 Jan. 1902, Hilda Clara Frances, yst. dau. of the late Henry Carnsew, formerly of Summers Place, Billingshurst, co. Sussex; _s.p._

=SOMERS-SMITH, RICHARD WILLINGDON=, 2nd Lieut., 7th (Service) Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, eldest _s._ of Robert Vernon Somers-Smith, of Bur Lea, Walton-on-Thames, J.P., C.C., Clerk to the Grocer’s Company, by his wife, M. Gertrude, dau. of John A. Radcliffe, of Cobham; _b._ Hersham, co. Surrey, 27 Oct. 1882; educ. Eton, and Merton College, Oxford; went to Ceylon, and became a Tea Planter, but on the outbreak of the European War in Aug. 1914, returned to England, and obtained a commission as 2nd Lieut. in the King’s Royal Rifles, 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, and was killed in action near Hooge, 30 June following, while running forward to help dig out some of his men who were buried by a shell; _unm._ Buried there. Like his father and brother, he was a distinguished Eton and Oxford athlete. At Eton he rowed in the Eight at Henley, and at Oxford, during his first year he won the Freshmen’s miles, rowed in the “Trials,” stroked his Torpid up five places, stepped straight from the Torpid into the ’Varsity eight, where he rowed two, stroked his College eight, and won the University pairs with Graham, of Balliol. The next year he stroked his College into the final of the coxwainless fours, coached the Torpid up three, rowed bow in the winning University crew, rowed seven to Bucknall’s stroke in the College eight, reached the final of the University pairs with Brocklebank, and only lost to a heavier pair by re-rowing after a dead heat with only a short rest, and as captain, rowed in four events at Henley for his College, besides sweeping the board at the College sports. He had his rowing Blue and was also offered his running Blue, but could not both row and run. His brother, Capt. John Robert Somers-Smith, London Regt., gained the Military Cross at the Second Battle of Ypres, 13 May, 1915, and was killed in action at Gommecourt, 1 July, 1916.

=SELBY-SMYTH, MILES BURY=, Capt., 4th Battn. The Rifle Brigade, only _s._ of the late Lieut.-Col. Edward Guy Selby-Smyth, of Darby House, Sunbury-on-Thames, Royal Irish Rifles, by his wife, Georgina Florence (42, Cornwall Gardens, London, S.W.), 2nd dau. and co-h. of Capt. the Hon. John James Bury, R.E. [2nd _s._ of Charles William, 2nd Earl of Charleville], and grandson of Gen. Sir Edward Selby-Smyth, K.C.M.G.; _b._ Halifax, Nova Scotia, 17 Nov. 1884; educ. Rottingdean (Mr. Stanford’s) and Bradfield College, co. Berks; gazetted 2nd Lieut. Rifle Brigade, from the Militia, 16 May, 1908, and promoted Lieut. 23 Jan. 1911, and Capt. 30 Nov. 1914; was A.D.C. (extra) to the Governor of Western Australia from 20 April, 1910, to 10 Feb. 1912; went to France, 20 Dec. 1914, and was killed in action at St. Eloi, 15 March, 1915, leading his company in a counter-attack on the Germans. Buried near the Church of Dickebusche. He _m._ in London, 8 Oct. 1912, Violet Emily (4, Tite Street, Chelsea, S.W.), yst. dau. of the late Capt. Cecil Drummond, R.B., and had a dau.: Pamela Dorothy Beaujolois, _b._ 25 Aug. 1913.

=SMYTH, RICHARD ALEXANDER NOEL=, Capt., Royal Garrison Artillery, 2nd _s._ of Lieut.-Col. Frederick Augustus Smyth, of Weymouth, Brig.-Surgeon, I.M.S., late of Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles (who served in the Afghan, Burma, Chin Lushai and Chitral Campaigns, also in the attack and siege of the Malakand), by his wife, Elizabeth, dau. of the Rev. John Cole, Vicar of Isle Brewers, Somerset; _b._ Morar, Gwalior, India, 18 Dec. 1888; educ. Weymouth College, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieut., R.G.A., 31 July, 1902, and promoted Lieut. 31 July, 1905, and Capt. 30 Oct. 1914, was for some time on garrison duty in England, and then served for six years in Ceylon; went to the Front with the 5th Battery Siege Artillery, in Sept. 1914, doing valuable work as “forward observing officer,” and was killed in action, being shot by a sniper, while in the act of helping a wounded infantry soldier, near Armentières, France, 7 Nov. 1914; _unm._ Buried at Bac St. Maur on the River Lys. Lieut.-Col. M. B. Roberts, Commanding 2nd Siege Brigade, wrote: “If he was as good a son as he was an officer, you have every reason to be very proud of him. I can truthfully say ever since we have been in action (a fortnight) your son had been doing most excellent work--cheerfully, keen and always ready for anything, and for some days past I had fully made up my mind to forward his name to higher authority for the manner in which he carried out his work. I miss the best of officers--the very best in the battery, his loss is irreparable.” He was mentioned in F.M. Sir John French’s Despatch of 20 Nov. 1914 [London Gazette, 17 Feb. 1915], and was awarded the Military Cross [London Gazette, 18 Feb. 1915]; but both honours were gazetted in error to Lieut. R. A. E. Smyth, Antrim Reserve R.G.A., who had never been at the Front. As Capt. Smyth has been killed and the Military Cross is not conferred posthumously the latter announcement was cancelled.

=SNARE, ALBERT=, S.P.O. (R.F.R., A. 936), 125421, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=SNEATH, CLAUDE DAVIS=, Lieut., 4th Battn. Duke of Cambridge’s Own Middlesex Regt., _s._ of George Sneath, of Gloucester Lodge, Golder’s Green, Hendon, J.P., by his 2nd wife, Marian Eliza Harriett, dau. of Charles William James Davis; _b._ Greta House, Finchley, 18 Jan. 1889; educ. Christ’s College, Finchley, and London University (where he was in the O.T.C.), and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the 6th Battn. of the Middlesex Regt. in 1912, and promoted Lieut. 15 Dec. 1912. On the outbreak of war he was transferred to the 4th Battn. which was one of the first regts. to go to the Front; was at the Battle of Mons, 23 Aug. 1914, also at Cambray and Le Cateau, 26 Aug. 1914; afterwards in the retreat, and then at the Battle of the Marne and on the Aisne, and was killed in action at Croix Barber, 14 Oct. 1914; _unm._ He was a fine hockey player, and played back for the Hendon Hockey Club, also for Middlesex and the Philistines on many occasions. He was also a good cricketer, and was president of the Golder’s Green Working Men’s Club.

=SNEDDON, JAMES=, Private, No. 18547, 13th (Service) Battn. Royal Scots (Lothian Regt.), _s._ of John Sneddon; _b._ Bellshill, co. Lanark, 11 July, 1887; educ. Bellshill; enlisted at Stirling, 19 Jan. 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc., and died in No. 1 Casualty Clearing station, 8 Feb. 1916, from wounds received in action the previous day. He _m._ at Bellshill, 30 Nov. 1906, Christina Leggatt (2, St. Mary’s Wynd, Stirling), dau. of (--) Graham, and had issue: Andrew Graham, _b._ 20 Nov. 1909; John Graham, _b._ 23 Dec. 1911; Euphemia, _b._ 22 Oct, 1907; and Christina Clark, _b._ 26 May, 1914.

=SNELGROVE, SIDNEY HENRY=, Lieut., 14th (Service) Battn., attd. 7th Battn., King’s Royal Rifle Corps, yr. _s._ of John Sidney Snelgrove, of Kingswood, Tunbridge Wells, Barrister-at-Law, by his wife, Gertrude Emily, dau. of the late John Henry Chatteris; _b._ Tunbridge Wells, 7 Dec. 1891; educ. Hurstleigh, Tunbridge Wells; Rugby (Mr. Brooke’s House), and Trinity College, Cambridge; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 14th Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 21 Nov. 1914, and promoted Lieut. 2 Feb. 1915; was attd. 7th Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and went to France 16 July following, and was killed in action 31 July, 1915, while leading his platoon under heavy shell fire in support of another company, in the counter-attack at the Chateau Hooge. Buried Sanctuary Wood, south of Hooge: _unm._ Lieut.-Col. G. A. P. Rennie, D.S.O., Commanding 7th King’s Royal Rifle Corps, wrote: “He was leading his men splendidly at the time,” and Lieut.-Col. Sir Thomas Milborne-Swinnerton-Pilkington, Bart., Commanding 14th Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps: “... one of my smartest officers. I was quite sure he would distinguish himself when he went to the Front.” Letters from other officers and men all speak in the highest terms of his courage, energy and great capability. At Hurstleigh he was head of the School and captain of the cricket and the hockey elevens, and at Rugby was in his house eleven, and a signaller in the O.T.C. His elder brother, Capt. John Sidney Norman Snelgrove, Royal West Kent Regt., is now (1916) on active service.

=SNELL, GEORGE NOWELL=, Stoker, 3rd Class, K. 21993, H.M.S. Monmouth; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SNELL, WILLIAM JOHN=, Gunner, R.M.A., 12869, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SNEYD, THOMAS HUMPHREY=, Capt., 4th. attd. 2nd. Battn. Lancashire Fusiliers, only _s._ of Major-Gen. Thomas William Sneyd, of Ashcombe Park, Belmont, and Onecote, co. Stafford, late Commanding Queen’s Bays (1877–82), by his wife, Charlotte Marion, dau. of Capt. William Wheatley Repton, Bengal N.I.; _b._ Lightoaks, near Cheadle, co. Stafford, 20 Oct. 1883; educ. Sandroyd, Wellington College, and Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays), 22 April, 1903; and promoted Lieut. 14 May, 1904; joined his regt. in South Africa in Aug. 1903, and acted as A.D.C. to the Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Sir Henry Hildyard; retired in July, 1910, and after a year and a half spent in the Argentine, returned to England in Jan. 1912, and joined the 4th (Special Reserve) Battn. Lancashire Fusiliers as Capt. 30 Oct. 1912; went to France attd. to the 2nd Battn., and was killed in action at Ploegsteert, Belgium, 2 Nov. 1914. Buried in Ploegsteert Wood. He _m._ at St. John’s Church, Forfar, 3 June, 1914, Phœbe Marianne, yr. dau. of John Sharp Callender-Brodie, of Idvies, Forfar, and had a dau., Averil Marion Anne, _b._ 7 April, 1915.

=SNOSWELL, THOMAS EMDEN=, Petty Officer, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 1467), 146107, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SNOW, WILLIAM CHARLES=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 4628), 195194, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SNOWDEN, HARCOURT JOHN=, Lieut., 1st Battn. Hertfordshire Regt. (T.F.), yr. _s._ of the Rev. Harcourt Snowden, of St. Peter’s, Broadstairs, by his wife, Augusta, dau. of Martin Daniel; _b._ Ramsgate, 12 Dec. 1887; educ. Hildersham House, St. Peter’s; Parkfield, Haywards Heath; Rugby and Trinity College, Oxford. He joined the Hertfordshire Regt. under Lieut.-Col. Viscount Hampden’s command, 2 June, 1913, and was promoted Lieut. 26 Sept. 1914. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for foreign service, served in France and Flanders, and was killed in action while visiting sentries early in the morning of 11 Jan. 1915; _unm._ He was buried near Richebourg l’Avoué. His Major said: “I had such confidence in him that, when I knew that he was the officer on duty, I never went round the posts to see that all was well.” Another officer wrote: “He was a fine example to us all of a good and straight living Englishman.”

=SOLLEY, ALFRED JOHN GEORGE=, Stoker, 2nd Class, K. 20426, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SOLLITT, GEORGE WILLIAM=, A.B. (R.F.R., Ch. B. 3544), H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SOMERTON, CHARLES ENOS=, Ship’s Steward, 341939, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SOMERTON, FREDERICK CHARLES=, Private, No. 1342, A Coy. 1st Newfoundland Regt., _s._ of Frederick Somerton, of Trinity, Newfoundland, Magistrate, by his wife, Caroline Augusta, dau. of Charles Soule Hibbert, of Bromley, Kent; _b._ Bruges, Newfoundland, 31 March, 1888; educ. Bishops Field College, St. John’s, Newfoundland, and on leaving there engaged in Scholastic pursuits and taught for three years at Salvage, Newfoundland, and afterwards at Cape Ray. He then went to Canada, but when the European War broke out returned home; volunteered and joined the Newfoundland Expeditionary Force in Feb. 1915; left for England in April, 1915; went to the Dardanelles Sept. and died on board the Guildford Castle, 25 Nov. 1915, of wounds received in action at Gallipoli on the 20th; _unm._

=SONES, HERBERT JAMES=, Signal Boy, J. 24586, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SORSBY, WILLIAM=, Private, No. 4637, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards; _b._ co. York; enlisted 19 March, 1902; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, from 30 Aug. 1914; killed in action at Soupir, 14 Sept. 1914; _m._

=SOURBUTTS, RICHARD=, Ch. E.R.A., 2nd Class, 269610, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SOUGHTON, THOMAS EDWARD=, Gunner, No. 686, 2nd Home Counties, 1/6th Battery, R.F.A. (T.F.); _b._ Hellingly, co. Sussex, 23 March, 1893; educ. Horsebridge, Hellingly; was an employee in the firm of Messrs. Howard Bros., Hellingly; enlisted soon after the outbreak of war, Oct. 1914; went to India, and died in Ferozepore Barracks there, 3 Dec. 1915, from internal injuries caused by a fall from an ammunition wagon on the 1st, while on service; _unm._

=SOUTER, CHARLES JESSE=, Chief Petty Officer, 169027, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SOUTH, FREDERICK=, Leading Seaman, 224839, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SOUTHERN, HENRY WALTER=, Boy, 1st Class, J. 25688, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=SOUTHERN, JOHN GEORGE=, Private, No. 3097, 7th Battn. Durham L.I. (T.F.), eldest _s._ of the late George Southern, of Southwick, Miner, by his wife, Alice (Walter Tom Street, Southwick, Sunderland), dau. of John Lathon; _b._ Southwick, 27 March, 1891; educ. High Southwick Council School; was employed at the Hylton Colliery; enlisted 9 Nov. 1914; trained at Sunderland, and went to the Front, 19 April, 1915, coming into action a few days later at Ypres on Whit Monday, when the 7th Durhams were severely cut up. He was killed in action at Armentières, 31 July, 1915; _unm._ He was a regular Sunday School teacher at a Primitive Methodist Church, and was engaged in Christian Endeavour work. His great ambition was to become a foreign missionary, and a few days before his death he wrote intimating that if spared to return home his future would be devoted to that cause. One of his officers, writing to his mother, said: “In the past his presence among us inspired all that was good. In the future, if God spares us, we will retain a lasting memory of his goodness.”

=SOUTHERTON, HARRY PERCY=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 14664 (Ports.), H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SOUTHWICK, CHARLES THOMAS=, Sergt., No. 1212, 13th Battn. (Princess Louise’s Kensington) The London Regt. (T.F.), only _s._ of Charles Southwick, of Heatherlands, Poole, Schoolmaster, by his wife, Mary Annie, dau. of the late Thomas Harland; _b._ Kinson, co. Dorset, 27 Feb. 1887; educ. Secondary School, Broughty Ferry, and St. Mark’s College, Chelsea, and on leaving there became Assistant Master at the Vineyard School, Richmond, under Mr. Lancaster; joined the 13th Kensingtons in 1907; volunteered for foreign service on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914; went to France, 3 Nov., and was killed in action in the attack on Aubers Ridge, 9 May, 1915. In letters received from the Front it was stated that in this action Sergt. Southwick with his platoon reached the second German trench, where a piece of shrapnel broke the glasses he was wearing. Then, a volunteer being called for to return to the English lines for reinforcements, he undertook the dangerous task, was seen to start on his errand, and from that time seems to have completely disappeared. He had a fine baritone voice, and was successively bass singer in the Petersham, Chelsea (Sidney Street), and St. Peter’s (Bayswater) Choirs, and also a member of the Queen’s Hall Choir. He _m._ at Stratford, Essex, 12 Sept. 1914, Lilian Francis (Ashleigh, The Bridle Path, Woodford Green), dau. of William Webster, of Ashleigh, Woodford Green; _s.p._

=SOUTHWOOD, HORACE GEORGE=, E.R.A., 4th Class, 271932, H.M S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SPACKMAN, HAROLD JOHN=, Private, No. 13845, 10th (Service) Battn. Devonshire Regt., _s._ of Frederick William Spackman, of The Dairy, Manningford, Bohune, by his wife, Eliza Catherine, dau. of Alfred Manners, of Heddington, Calne, Wilts; _b._ Manningford, Bohune, Pewsey, co. Wilts, 24 May, 1897; educ. Woodborough School; enlisted 17 Sept. 1914, and died at the Red Cross Hospital, Bath, 12 March, 1915, of meningitis contracted while on service; _unm._

=SPAIN, EDWARD SYDNEY STEPHEN=, Leading Seaman, 235099, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SPALDING, FRANK=, Coy. Quartermaster-Sergt., No. 6896, 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards, _s._ of John Spalding, of 70, Scorer Street, Lincoln; _b._ Lincoln, 1890; educ. there; was apprenticed to Messrs. Robey, Blacksmiths, but before his time expired gave this up and enlisted in the Coldstreams, 20 Aug. 1906; was appointed L.-Corpl. 19 Aug. 1907; Corpl. 17 Oct. 1908; L.-Sergt. 17 March, 1910; Sergt. 15 Aug. 1913, Pioneer Sergt. the same day; and acting Coy. Quartermaster-Sergt. (for meritorious conduct at the Front), 20 Nov. 1914; went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 13 Aug. 1914, and died at Ecquedecques, Belgium, 1 Jan. 1915, from an accident while on active service. Buried in field opposite Delalean Farm, Ecquedecques, about 2 kilometres from Lillers. He was an enthusiastic footballer, being at one time a member of the Lincoln Wednesday Team, and while in the Army was one of the Battn.’s Soccer representatives; he was also a member of the old Lincoln Volunteers for some time. Coy. Q.M.-Sergt. Spalding _m._ at St. Thomas’s, Lambeth, 6 Aug. 1911, Kate (128, Ash Street, Walworth, London), dau. of (--) Skinner, and had two sons: Eric Arthur, _b._ 23 July, 1912; and Leslie Stuart, _b._ 30 Oct. 1914.

=SPARKES, CHARLES=, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch./12476, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPARKS, HARRY ROBERT=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 8408), S.S. 104457, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=SPEAREY, FREDERICK WILLIAM=, A.B. (Coastguard), 194745, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPEKE, THE REV. HUGH=, Major, 10th (Service) Battn. Lancashire Fusiliers, 7th _s._ of the Rev. Benjamin Speke, Rector of Dowlish Wake, by his wife, Caroline Sophia, elder dau. of John Bird Fuller, of Neston Park, Wilts, grandson of William Speke, of Jordans, co. Somerset, J.P., D.L., and nephew of John Hanning Speke, the African Explorer; _b._ Dowlish Wake, co. Somerset, 24 Feb. 1878; educ. Uppingham, and Keble College, Oxford; served in the South African War, 1899–1901, with the Wiltshire Yeomanry; afterwards continuing his preparation for Holy Orders at Wells Theological College in 1901. He was ordained at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Advent, 1902; was for three years curate at St. Michael’s, Bromley-by-Bow, and was then Vicar of Curry Rivel from 1905 to 1910, and in the autumn of that year left to take up work in Western Canada, where he was on the Mission Staff at Edmonton, and subsequently worked at Bow Island, Alberta, and was finally in charge of the district of Athabasca, but, after the outbreak of the European War in Aug. 1914, he returned to England in Oct.; and was given a commission as Capt. in the 3rd Battn. of the Somerset L.I., 23 Oct. 1914. He transferred to the 9th Battn., and was promoted Major 21 Dec. following, and after training with it at St. Austell and Wareham, exchanged into the 10th Lancashire Fusiliers in July, 1915, in order to go to the Front. He went to France at the end of the month, and was killed on reconnaissance at Vierstaat 11 Aug. following. Buried in the cemetery at Dickebusch. A brother officer wrote: “It happened about 11.30 on Wednesday night. He went out to reconnoitre the German trenches with a Sergt.; he was away about an hour and a half, and procured some very useful information; they were on their way back when he was shot; he must have been shot at least three times in the head and neck, and can have suffered no pain”; and another: “He was one of the bravest and best, and in the short time he had been with us had endeared himself to everybody. I am sure there is not an officer or man who does not feel his loss. His own company is cut up terribly.” Another also wrote: “We laid the Major to rest reverently with a short service last night (Thursday) in a small cemetery near here and placed a wreath on the grave, and are putting up a cross in a few days so as to mark it. All the officers and the whole company are very cut up over our loss as we were all very fond of him indeed. One of the men remarked in a letter referring to the death of Major Speke, ‘he was a brave and fearless man,’ which is very true, and we all had a great respect for him,” and: “Your gallant husband died, not merely doing his duty, but, as I judge, for another, for I feel pretty sure that he undertook a dangerous job which he would not let one of his junior officers undertake.” In Canada he proved himself a born pioneer. Even the small prairie towns were irksome to him, and he would contrive to spend most of his time in a shack out on the far-flung prairie. As though his own wide field were not large enough he would, from time to time, find that his duty called him on an expedition to the Sweet Grass Hills, across the boundary line to the south, to the Cypress Hills away to the east, or to the irrigated belt away to the north. Loth as he was to leave S. Alberta, it was the same spirit that led him to accept the offer to establish a pioneer mission in Athabasca, and so patiently to face the vexing difficulties raised by others that would have led most men to draw back before embarking on the task, and later to resign when the conditions of service were so changed. One winter he spent in a tiny shack measuring 10 ft. by 8 ft., having as his companion a lad from his own village at home who in days gone by had carried his gun. He _m._ at Tarrant Crawford Church, Dorset, 8 April, 1915, Ruth Lettice, dau. of the Rev. Charles Lewis Kennaway, of Stephen’s Plot, Spetisbury, Blandford, late Rector of Garboldishham, co. Norfolk; _s.p._

=SPENCE, JAMES MCKENZIE=, Sergt., No. 12/218, 15th North Auckland Regt., Signalling Division, Headquarters Staff, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, _s._ of James Mearns Spence, of Deveron Street, Whangarei, New Zealand; _b._ Whangarei aforesaid, 16 June, 1886; educ. there; was for some years a Reporter on the Staff of the Whangarei “Northern Mail” and “Northern Advocate,” subsequently becoming sub-editor of the “North Auckland Times” at Dargaville; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war; joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 15 Aug. 1914; left for Egypt as a signaller with the main body, was successively promoted Corpl. and Sergt., and was killed in action at the Dardanelles, 16 Nov. 1915; _unm._

=SPENCER, CHARLES JAMES=, Capt., 2nd Battn. Devonshire Regt., eldest _s._ of Charles Alfred Spencer, of Stoughton Lane, Leicester, by his wife, Mary, dau. of James Warwick, of Longthorpe, near Peterborough; _b._ Leicester, 10 Jan. 1879; educ. Charterhouse; joined the Cardigan Artillery Militia in 1898; gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Devonshire Regt., 18 Oct. 1899, and promoted Lieut. 11 May, 1901, and Capt. 14 July, 1908; served in the South African War, 1899–1902; took part in the advance on, and relief of Ladysmith, being with the 2nd Battn. in Major-Gen. Hildeyard’s Brigade, while the 1st Battn. was shut up in the town; operations of 17–24 Jan. 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5–7 Feb. 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights (14–27 Feb. 1900) and action at Pieters Hill; operations in Natal, March to June 1900, including action at Laings Nek (6–9 June); and those in the Transvaal, Nov. 1901 to 31 May, 1902; was severely wounded and received the Queen’s medal with five clasps and King’s medal with two clasps. He was Adjutant of the 7th (Territorial) Cyclist Battn. of the Devonshires from 14 July, 1908 to 29 Feb. 1912. On the outbreak of war he went to France with the Expeditionary Force, 5 Nov. 1914, and was killed in action, 18 Dec. 1914, while leading his company in an attack on the German trenches. Buried near Estaires. Capt. Spencer _m._ at Pennycross Church, near Plymouth, 20 Oct. 1909, Katherine Margaret (Crapstone House, Yelverton, South Devon), yst. dau. of the late Robert Bayly, of Torr, Plymouth, and had a son, Charles Richard, _b._ 5 Dec. 1910.

=SPENCER, JOHN=, Private, No. 572, 5th Coy., 2/5th Battn. King’s Liverpool Regt. (T.F.), _s._ of William Spencer, of Liverpool, Watch Finisher; _b._ Liverpool, 1854; educ. Corporation School there; enlisted in the R.G.A. (Militia) and served with them 22 years (Long Service medal and certificate); re-enlisted in Oct. 1914, and was accidentally drowned in Carrier’s Dock, Liverpool, 27 Dec. following, while on service. He _m._ at St. Nicholas Church, Liverpool, Mary Jane (23, Back Strickland Street, Liverpool), dau. of (--) Young, and had five children: William, _b._ 28 Oct. 1878; John, _b._ 22 July, 1891, R.N.; George, _b._ 30 Jan. 1896; Margaret, _b._ 5 June, 1882; and Emily, _b._ 14 May, 1898.

=SPENDLOW, JOHN JAMES=, Leading Seaman, 237135, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPICE, ALBERT=, Cook’s Mate, 1766, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SPICE, ROBERT WILLIAM=, Stoker, 1st Class, K. 9019, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SPICER, ARTHUR JOHN=, Stoker, 1st Class (R.F.R., B. 2214), 301561, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SPICER, GEORGE HENRY=, Gunner, 35031, 41st Battery, 42nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 3rd _s._ of George Spicer, of Frindsbury, Rochester, Kent, by his wife, Jane; _b._ Frindsbury, 23 Jan. 1885; enlisted 1 Feb. 1905; served seven years with the Colours then passing into the Reserve, was employed at Messrs. Lysaght’s Works, Newport, Mon.; mobilised 5 Aug. 1914; went to France, 20 Aug. 1914, and died in No. 7 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, 9 Nov. following, of wounds received in action at Neuve Chapelle in a gallant attempt to save Lieut. Towell. Major H. A. Hamilton, Commanding 41st Battery, wrote: “I am sure you would like to know how your husband gave his life for his country. I need not say how much I and all his comrades sympathise with you in your great loss, but you may have a little consolation in knowing that he was severely wounded in performing a gallant act, which was reported to his commanding officer and brought to the notice of the general officer commanding the division.” He _m._ at St. Woolo’s Church, Newport, Mon., 1 June, 1914, Beatrice Amelia, dau. of Henry George Evans, of 19, Victoria Crescent, Newport; _s.p._

=SPICER, MAURICE ARNOTT=, Corpl., No. 81840, 32nd, attd. 10th, Battn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, 5th _s._ of the late Herbert Spicer, of Cranbourne, St Margarets near Ware, by his wife, Martha McMurray, dau. of David Arnott; _b._ Hambledon, co. Surrey, 23 April, 1882; educ. Mill Hill; was sisal growing in the West Indies from 1900 to 1903, afterwards farming in Canada until the outbreak of the European War; enlisted in the 32nd Battn. 21 Oct. 1914; came over with the reinforcements for the first contingent in March, 1915; went to France with a draft for the 10th Battn. early in April, 1915, and was killed in action at Festubert, 22 May, 1915; _unm._

=SPIELMANN, HAROLD LIONEL ISIDORE=, Capt., 1/10th Battn. Manchester Regt. (T.F.), yr. _s._ of Sir Isidore Spielmann, of 56, Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, W., C.M.G., F.S.A., by his wife, Emily, dau. of the late Sir Joseph Sebag-Montefiore; _b._ London, 12 Jan. 1893; educ. Clifton and Pembroke College, Cambridge (B.A. June, 1914); gazetted 2nd Lieut., 2/10th (Oldham) Battn. Manchester Regt., from the University O.T.C., 14 Oct. 1914; was promoted Capt. in March, 1915, to date as from 28 Nov. 1914; volunteered with the greater part of the battalion for foreign service; landed in Gallipoli, in command of a draft, 25 July, 1915, and was killed in an attack on the Turkish position, 13 Aug. following; _unm._ Lieut.-Col. G. Robinson, commanding 10th Manchesters, wrote: “He only joined us about three weeks ago, when he arrived in command of a draft of 248 men, and I was so impressed with his keenness and energy that I put him in command of a company. My judgment was fully borne out. Your son worked hard, and I felt I could always rely on him. On the evening of the 12th inst. a battalion next to us in the fire trenches lost a portion of a trench on their front, and I was forced to organise a counter-attack by one hundred men of my battn. under your son and two other officers. Your son was in command of his section of the attack, and carried out his orders with skill and gallantry. He reached his objective, but was immediately killed, and his men had eventually to fall back under strong opposition. His death, by bullets, was instantaneous.... Our men had done well, and we regained most of what had been lost, but they were ‘done,’ and I lost many of them besides my excellent young officer Spielmann.... It was crushing to me losing him. He was a ‘gentleman officer’ with such high notions of chivalry, honour and _esprit de corps_. I considered him one of my best officers, and had just recommended him for a permanent captaincy, as I had such a high opinion of his capabilities. Your boy died a hero’s death in his country’s cause, and that must ever be a source of satisfaction and comfort to you, and one in which you must all take a pride--falling in action gallantly leading his men. What more can a soldier ask for?”

=SPIERS, HAROLD ALFRED=, Boy, 1st Class, J 23568 (Ports.), H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=SPIERS, WILLIAM JOHN=, Stoker, Petty Officer (R.F.R., A. 2103), 131072 (Ports.), H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea. 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPILLARNE, CORNELIUS WILLIAM=, Stoker, 1st Class, 308380, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SPINDLER, DAVID=, Stoker, 1st Class, 289816, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPINKS, FREDERICK HERMAN VICTOR=, Rifleman, No. 10489, B Coy., 1st Battn. King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 2nd _s._ of Thomas Samuel Spinks, of 114, Leucha Road, St. James’ Street, Walthamstow, by his wife, Clara, dau. of Frederick Herman Greenslade; _b._ Clapton, N., 29 Oct. 1896; educ. Coppermill Road Council School, Walthamstow; enlisted 27 Jan. 1912; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 13 Aug. 1914; served through the retreat from Mons, etc., and was killed in action two days before his 18th birthday, near Ypres, 27 Oct. 1914. A comrade wrote: “He was killed in action the same day as Prince Maurice of Battenberg. His company had advanced against the Germans and taken up a position for the night. He could have lain down and gone to sleep, because he was a signaller, but the man next him had to do two two hours on duty looking through the porthole in the trench, and as he felt a bit bad, your poor boy offered to do it for him. Well, Fred had not been looking out for more than ten minutes when a bullet struck him in the head, and he must have died instantaneously. I cannot tell you more particulars now, but I know it was near Ypres. I was entrusted to write your letter because Fred was a signaller, and I am one of the few that are left.” He gained the 3rd class certificate for education, 23 Feb. 1912, and the 2nd class, 2 April, 1912.

=SPITTLE, FRANK THOMAS=, Rifleman, No. 2857, A Coy., 1/9th Battn. (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) The London Regt. (T.F.), yst. _s._ of Augustus Alfred Spittle, of 41, Manby Road, Leyton Road, Stratford, Essex, by his wife, Ellen Emily, dau. of George Abbott, of Maldon, Essex; _b._ Stratford, 25 April, 1896; educ. Downsell Road Council School, Leyton, and County High School, Leytonstone; volunteered and joined Queen Victoria’s Rifles on the outbreak of war; went to France, 22 Jan. 1915, and was killed in action, 23 Feb. 1915. Buried Wulverghem Cemetery. Major Lees (since killed in action) wrote; “He was one of a working party repairing the parapet of the trench during a mist, which suddenly lifted, and the Germans opened fire, and he was hit before he could get under cover, and died a few minutes later. He was very popular with his comrades and will be sadly missed.”

=SPITTLES, THOMAS ROBERT=, Stoker, 1st Class, No. K. 726, 3rd _s._ of Francis Edward Spittles, of South Hayling, by his wife, Elizabeth Bessie, dau. of Robert Applin; joined the Royal Navy about May, 1907, and was lost on H.M.S. Lynx, 9 Aug. 1915, when that ship was sunk by a mine in the North Sea. He _m._ at Portsmouth, Alice Georgina May (Rose Cottage, South Mundham), dau. of George Horne.

=SPOONER, ALEXANDER=, Leading Stoker, K. 114, H.M.S. Pathfinder; lost when that ship was sunk by a mine, about 20 miles off the East Coast, 5 Sept. 1914.

=SPOONER, CHARLES ALBERT VICTOR=, Boy, 1st Class, J. 26754, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=SPOONER, WILLIAM CHARLES=, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch./16147, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914.

=SPORTON, GEORGE HERBERT=, A.B. (Coastguard), 206749, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPRINGALL, WILLIAM EGLETON=, Leading Seaman (R.F.R., Ch. B. 5437), 178793, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=SPRUNT, ALEXANDER DALZELL=, 2nd Lieut., 4th Battn. Bedfordshire Regt., attd. 2nd Battn. South Staffordshire Regt., 2nd _s._ of John Dalziel Sprunt, of 3, East India Avenue, London, E.C., and Montgomerie, Berkhampsted, by his wife, Jane, dau. of John Naismith; _b._ Hampstead, London, 7 Jan. 1891; educ. Berkhampsted School, and New College, Oxford, where he graduated with honours in July, 1914, and was nominated Assistant Professor of Natural History at Glasgow University, obtaining his degree the week that war was declared. Having served for about 10 years in the Officers Training Corps, he and his brother (also killed in action) were offered commissions. He accepted and was gazetted 2nd Lieut., 4th Bedfordshire Regt., 15 Aug. 1914, being ordered to join his Regt. at once at Dovercourt. Later he was detailed to take out a draft to the Base at Havre, and from there took up a draft of the Guards to the trenches, where he was attd. to the 2nd South Staffordshires, with whom he remained till he was mortally wounded, bring shot down about 15 yards from the enemy’s lines. He died in hospital at Lillers, France, 17 March, 1915, of wounds received in action on the 10th, near Neuve Chapelle. His company had been chosen to lead the attack, and he was shot down about 15 yards from the enemy’s lines, where he seems to have lain from morning till night, when he was rescued and finally taken to Lillers. He was buried in the cemetery there; _unm._

=SPRUNT, EDWARD LAWRENCE=, Private, No. 1510, 1st Battn. Honourable Artillery Coy. (Stretcher-bearer Section), 3rd _s._ of John Dalziel Sprunt, of 3 East India Avenue, London, E.C., and Montgomerie, Berkhampsted, by his wife, Jane, dau. of John Naismith; _b._ Hampstead, London, 28 Aug. 1892; educ. Berkhampsted School, and Jesus College, Oxford, at which latter he held an open exhibition. Having served about nine years in the O.T.C., he was offered a commission on the outbreak of war, but being eager to go to the Front as soon as possible, and thinking he would probably be sent for months to a regimental depôt to train recruits (as his elder brother was), he enlisted as a Private in the Honourable Artillery Coy., and went to the Front with them and served through the winter of 1914–15. Later was again offered a commission and the War Office instructed his Col. to send him home that he might take it up. After getting his discharge he went back to the Col. and said he had heard there was to be a battle next day, and as he did not wish to leave on the eve of it, he asked permission to remain and see his comrades through it. The Col. replied that as he had put it so gallantly he could not refuse his request, and so he might remain. That evening the Battn. went up to the trenches and was under fire about 36 hours, including the fierce fight of 16 June, 1915, losing about half its numbers. On 17 June, about 2 a.m., near Chateau Hooge, Belgium, he was helping to carry a wounded comrade on a stretcher, and had got within about 15 yards of the dressing station, when a shell came over and exploded underneath the stretcher, killing him and two others, and wounding the remaining two stretcher-bearers. He was buried on the battlefield, near the Ypres-Menin Road; _unm._ His commanding officer wrote: “Your son had the opportunity of not going up (to the trenches) and of returning home, but refused to leave his comrades at such a time, and so showed a magnificent spirit--worthy of a man in this Regt. He discharged his duties with great valour under great danger. The circumstances were such as to lead me to specially recommend him for gallant conduct, and the enclosed card has been received from the General. I have pleasure in sending it to you, while regretting very much the circumstances which have been greatly appreciated by his comrades.” The card is of the first class, being printed in gilt letters, the ordinary card being in black letters. It reads: “Third Division, British Expeditionary Force, 1510, Private E. L. Sprunt, Hon. Artillery Coy. Your commanding officer and brigade commander have informed me that you distinguished yourself by your conduct in the field on 16 June, 1915. I have read their report with much pleasure, and have brought it to the notice of higher authority.” Later the Assistant Military Secretary wrote that he had been mentioned in a despatch from F.M. Sir John French “for gallant and distinguished service in the field.” “I am to express to you the King’s high appreciation of these services, and to add that His Majesty trusts that their public acknowledgment may be of some consolation in your bereavement.”

=SPRY, ERNEST JOHN=, A.B. (R.F.R., B. 2224), 181820, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=SPURDEN, WILLIAM=, Private, No. 7194, 1st Battn. Royal West Kent Regt.; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; killed in action, 17 Nov. 1914; _m._

=SQUIBB, FRED=, Private, G. 909, 1st Battn. Royal West Surrey Regt., _s._ of Frederick Squibb, of West Clandon, Surrey; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; died 5 Sept. 1915, of wounds received in action.

=SQUIRE, ALAN RICHARD=, Sergt., No. 10/782, Wellington Infantry Battn., eldest _s._ of Richard Jas. Squire, of Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand, by his wife, Charlotte Louisa, dau. of the late Josiah Claridge, Carpenter; _b._ Hawera, 12 Sept. 1892; educ. Hawera, N.Z.; was a Painter and Signwriter; volunteered on the outbreak of war and joined the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 7 Aug. 1914; left for Egypt with the main body as a gunner; arrived at Gallipoli, 7 May, 1915, and served there for three months, taking part in the severe fighting during that period; was promoted Sergt. the beginning of Aug., and was killed in action there a few days later, 7 Aug. 1915; _unm._ At the time he was killed he was temporarily in charge of the machine-guns, most of the officers having been killed or wounded.

=SQUIRE, STANLEY CHARLES=, Lieut., 7th (Service) Battn. Gloucestershire Regt., 2nd _s._ of the Rev. Charles Edward Squire, M.A., Vicar of Southrop, Lechlade, co. Gloucester, by his wife, Florence Charlotte, dau. of Morgan Yeatman, of Shawfield, Bromley, Kent; _b._ Llangrove Vicarage, near Ross, co. Hereford, 26 June, 1893; educ. St. John’s School, Leatherhead, and Corpus Christi College, Oxford (Science Scholar); gazetted 2nd Lieut. to the Gloucestershire Regt., 26 Aug. 1914; promoted Lieut., 27 Jan. 1915; sailed on 22 June for the East; was at Cape Helles on 8 July for a few weeks, then took part in the Expedition to Suvla Bay, where he was killed in action while in charge of the machine-gun section, 9 Aug. 1915, on Chanak Bair. They occupied an exposed position, and he was hit by a bullet after bandaging a wounded man, and killed instantaneously, early in the day. The only two survivors (Stokes and Bennett), who returned later on with the last machine gun, received the D.C.M. He was _unm._ His brother, Capt. G. F. Squire, of the same Battn., was wounded the same day.

=SQUIRES, FRANCIS CHAVASSE=, Capt. and Adjutant, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, Indian Army, yr. _s._ of the late Rev. Henry Charles Squires, M.A., for 20 years Church Missionary Society Missionary, Western India, and afterwards Vicar of Holy Trinity, Richmond, Surrey, by his wife, Ada Martha (23, West Park, Eltham, S.E.), dau. of Thomas Chavasse, of Wylde Green House, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, F.R.C.S., and nephew of the Right Rev. Francis James Chavasse, D.D., Lord Bishop of Liverpool; _b._ West Chiltington Rectory, co. Sussex, 22 Feb. 1885; educ. St. Paul’s School (Foundation Scholar) and Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 5 Aug. 1905, and attached to the East Surreys in India, and the following year transferred to the Indian Army and posted to the 23rd Sikh Pioneers. He became Lieut. 5 Aug. 1907, and was appointed Adjutant, 25 Oct. 1912. He served in the Zakka Khel Expedition, 1908, for which he received a medal, and on the outbreak of the European War obtained his Company, 5 Aug. 1914. Capt. Squires was wounded in action at Lahej, 5 July, 1915, and died at Aden on the 7th; _unm._ His commanding officer wrote: “His high and sterling qualities were never better shown that on the extremely hard march to Lahej, in intense heat, when he was indefatigable and untiring in going back along the column, assisting men and getting them water, etc., and keeping me informed of everyone’s position. He reached me at Lahej just as the Turkish attack began, and throughout the early part of the night did magnificent work conveying orders to different units, and keeping me informed of their positions.... At about 11 p.m. the advanced line was withdrawn to an enclosure.... At your son’s urgent request I allowed him to go out with some men to keep clear a portion of the road near at hand. It was while carrying out this order that he received a gunshot wound.... He died on 7 July, and was buried in Aden that evening.... As a regt. we mourn the loss of a gallant officer and a kindly friend. Indian officers and men all express their deep grief. I lose a trusted Adjutant, and one whose sincere friendship I am proud to know I always held. His was a fine end, and I know he was contented it came thus in action.” He was an enthusiastic soldier, devoted to the well-being of his men, a good linguist and an excellent musician.

=SQUIRRELL, JOHN WILLIAM=, Private, No. 16149, 1st Battn. The Suffolk Regt., 3rd _s._ of James William Squirrell, of Hill Cottage, Hintlesham, by his wife, Emma, dau. of the late John (and Ann) Percy; _b._ Hintlesham, co. Suffolk, 15 June, 1884; educ. there; was a Stockman; enlisted after the outbreak of war, 6 Nov. 1914; went to France about 20 May, and was killed in action at Ypres, 25 May, 1915. He _m._ at Hintlesham, 28 Dec. 1908, and had two sons: Stanley William, _b._ 12 Jan. 1910; and Jack Reggie, _b._ 21 Jan. 1914.