| Notes: | MMP 25 Division. From Kentish Town. 36 (Ulster) Division. Awarded the 1914 Star with clasp (16482) and rose, Victory and War Medal. First served abroad (1) France, 14/8/1914. Formerly Pte. 2 Dragoon Guards, No. 6154. Transferred to MMP 1/10/1916. Later served in Metropolitan Police.
Bertie James Spencer.
Bertie James Spencer was born on the 8/11/1884 at his parents house 3, Semley Place, St George, Pimlico, London and was the son of James Spencer a Metropolitan Policeman, then serving on A Division and Emily Spencer (nee Whiting). He had one brother Charles. By 1902 the family had moved to Acton, London. Bertie was employed as a Brewer's Bottler until he entitled as a Regular Soldier in the 2 Dragoon Guards, No. 6154 he remained in England until 9/8/1905 when he went to South Africa with his regiment, he returned to England in 1907 and was stationed in Hounslow. 22/10/1910 he was discharged. 21/11/1910 he jointed the Metropolitan Police, warrant No. 99361 and was stationed at Holmes Road Police Station, Kentish Town, London as PC Y 894 B J Spencer. On the 5/8/1911 he married Elizabeth Louise Fisher of 20 Grove Place, Acton. She was the daughter of the late George Fisher a builder. On 30th June he received 5/- reward for special ability in the prosecution against tow suspected persons, In 1911 he was awarded the Coronation Medal 1911.
The following info is from the General Occurrence Book from Kentish Town Police Station dated 18/7/1912. At 7pm a dray horse attached to an uncovered brewery van belonging to Watney, Combe & Read Brewery, Stag Road, Pimlico was outside the George IV public house on Holmes Road when it was startled by train wagons being shunted in a nearby yard. The horse bolted down Holmes road towards the police Station. Mr George Childs (26) attempted to stop the horse by grabbing the left rein, he fell between the horses legs and the nearside wheels of the man passed over his head causing fatal injuries. William Bayley (17) the van boy also attempted to stop the horse but was thrown to the ground and rendered unconscious. Edward john Hoskins (47) also attempted to stop it but sustained an injury to his right arm. The horse continued towards the Police Station where PC Spencer was stood in the road opposite. He attempted to stop the horse by grabbing the left rein but was knocked off his feet and was dragged along Holmes Road to Kentish town Road where he regained his feet but the horse continued into Islip Street where the horse was brought to a halt. Spencer was injured during the incident and was off work immediately following it. He was awarded a Commendation and a £10 reward from the Bow Street Fund. On 1/1/1913 the London Gazette announced the award of the Kings Police Medal for Gallantry to PC Spencer. He was also a keen footballer and cricket player.
I5/8/1914 he was recalled to Military Service in the 2 Dragoon Guards and arrived in France on 14/8/1914. On 6/11/1916 he transferred to MMP and by 1917 was a L/Cpl. A/ Sgt when he won the MM which was Gazetted on 28/9/1917. He has been serving with HQ 25 Division at Ypres. On the 28/3/1919 Sgt B J Spencer, KPM, MM, MMP was discharged. His second son Geoffrey William was born in 1919. Bertie returned to the Metropolitan Police and earned another Commendation in 1929. He transferred to N Division in 1935 and was awarded the Jubilee Medal before retiring on 15/12/1935. He served in the Home Guard in WWII and was awarded the Defence Medal. He died of lung cancer in Edgeware Hospital on 17/6/1954.
Bertie James Spencer.
(His son Geoffrey William Spencer, No. 1874667 L/Cpl. 40 Fortress Company, RE was drowned on the POW ship Lisburn Maru on 1/2/ October 1942, age 23. He is named on the Sai Wan Memorial, Column 7 in Hong Kong.)
Military Honours, Metro. PC Spencer (Y), now acting Sergeant, MMP who rejoined the Army on August 5th, 1914, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the Field. Police Review, 23/11/1917, page 372. |
