Lot Essay
M.M. London Gazette 28.7.1917.
Private Ernest Spencer, M.M., a Sheffield man, was decorated for his bravery in bringing up ammunition under fire, an incident recorded in the History of the 12th (Sheffield) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment:
'These two men brought up fresh supplies of S.A.A. from Company Reserve in 'Rob Roy' when that trench and Nairne Communication Trench were being heavily shelled. They had to climb out of the trench in several places where it was blown in, and doing so Private Wilkinson was stunned for several seconds by shrapnel hitting his helmet. They persevered, however, and were successful in their attempt to bring up ammunition. They were awarded the Military Medal as a reward for their gallant conduct'.
Tragically, the gallant Spencer was killed in action on 'The First Day of the Somme', when the 12th Battalion acted as a leading unit in 84th Brigade's assault on Serre. As one Battalion historian put it, 'on that day there fell in battle the largest number of Sheffield men ever known, the gallant men who in a few minutes put to the test long months of training'.
Spencer is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Private Ernest Spencer, M.M., a Sheffield man, was decorated for his bravery in bringing up ammunition under fire, an incident recorded in the History of the 12th (Sheffield) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment:
'These two men brought up fresh supplies of S.A.A. from Company Reserve in 'Rob Roy' when that trench and Nairne Communication Trench were being heavily shelled. They had to climb out of the trench in several places where it was blown in, and doing so Private Wilkinson was stunned for several seconds by shrapnel hitting his helmet. They persevered, however, and were successful in their attempt to bring up ammunition. They were awarded the Military Medal as a reward for their gallant conduct'.
Tragically, the gallant Spencer was killed in action on 'The First Day of the Somme', when the 12th Battalion acted as a leading unit in 84th Brigade's assault on Serre. As one Battalion historian put it, 'on that day there fell in battle the largest number of Sheffield men ever known, the gallant men who in a few minutes put to the test long months of training'.
Spencer is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.