Harry Varnals Spencer

Rank 
Rifleman
Regiment 
London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
Date of death 
1 July 1916
Age of death 
21
Address 
66 Dalkeith Road
Ilford
IG1 1JE
Address source 
1911 Census
Cemetery / Memorial 
France
Biography 

Harry was born on 13th November 1894 and attended Ilford County High School between 16th September 1907 and 21st December 1909. When the Cleveland School War Memorial was revealed from behind the wooden panelling in the main school hall in 2011, his name was included as he had attended this elementary school prior to joining Ilford County High School.

Harry’s father, Frederick was the clerk to a local auctioneer. His mother’s name was Emily. His family resided at 66 Dalkeith Road in Ilford in 1907. Between 1908 and 1909, his brother, Frederick, also studied at Ilford County High School.

Upon leaving education, Harry and his brother Frederick both became clerks for the Ilford Gas Company.

Harry was a Rifleman in the 1st/5th Battalion of the London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) service number 301807. He was reported as missing in the Autumn 1916 Chronicles. In fact, he had died on 1st July 1916- the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was just 21 when he died and, as his body was not recovered, his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 9D).

Research by Andrew Emeny, History Teacher at ICHS

Sources:

Ancestry.com

ICHS school records and magazines

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Note

Ilford County High School started life as the Park Higher Grade School in 1901 in Balfour Road, Ilford. It was renamed Ilford County High School (or initially County High School, Ilford) in the years after the school’s management was transferred from Ilford School Board to Essex Education Committee in 1904.