Spencer (Aka Silcock), Harry

Rob Carter, writes on 22/4/2016, regarding his great uncle, Pte Harry Spencer (aka Charles Henry Silcock). Born Buckhurst Hill, Essex, 4th July 1871, Harry was one of four children to Deborah Silcock (1846 – 1929), of 69 Studley Road, Forest Gate, Essex. 1) Apprenticeship records show that Harry – Charles H Silcock, aged 15 – was indentured at the port of Grimsby on 30/6/1886, for six years (ie., until 1892) to the Great Grimsby Ice Company Limited. The record includes a note reading ‘Fishing – confirmed 07/10/1886’, but also notes that he absconded on the 18/4/1890. 2) The 1891 census, shows Harry Silcox (sic) aged 21, a fisherman, living as a boarder, in the home of ‘lamp lighter’, Thomas Hunter and his wife Elizabeth, at 105 Orwell Street, Grimsby – within yards of the fish dock. He is boarding with two other fisherman, including a 23-year-old called Edward G Swan, who was born in Woodford, Essex, quite close to Buckhurst Hill. 3) Charles Henry Silcock, joined the Royal Navy on 20/3/1896 as number 282309. His first ship was HMS Victory II. His occupation was ‘Fisherman’ when he joined. He served as a Stoker in the Navy – like his father Charles Silcock (1840 – 1900). Harry’s last date of Royal Navy service was 09/06/1906 – when he deserted while serving on HMS Excellent. The record also notes that he was ‘recovered from desertion’ on 09/05/1910, but the Navy did not want him back. He was ‘not claimed for further service’. His Royal Navy record also shows frequent incarceration in the cells, with one period of 60 days for ‘wilful disobedience’. 4) Harry enlisted in the 12th ‘Hull Sportsman’ Bn, at Hull City Hall, on 3/10/1914. He assumed the surname ‘Spencer’ – perhaps because he didn’t like ‘Silcock’ or to help him get into the army without his true age, or his broken apprenticeship or his desertion from the Royal Navy being discovered? Harry did not take well to military discipline. He was twice charged with absence, the second time when orders came for him to join a night guard and no-one could find him anywhere. This continued after the Pals arrived in Egypt. In January 1916, he disappeared at 7.15am in Port Said and was discovered by Military Police in a “prohibited area” several hours later. 5) Harry was killed in action on 26/05/1916. Harry’s actual place of death was to the east of Colincamps (and to the west of the German-held village of Serre). He was killed during a two day period of heavy shelling on the trenches, which killed 21 men and wounded over 50 others.