No. 220200, Private, William Arthur SPAULL
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William Arthur Spaull was born on 17th February 1898 in Thetford (Thetford Q1-1898 4A:), son of George Albert and Ellen May SPAULL (née SPALDING). His father is sometimes George Albert, at times George Arthur, mother Elizabeth Mary or Elizabeth May and the surname can end "L" or "LL" 1901 census...Aged 3, he was at 25 Magdalen Street, Thetford with his father George Albert SPAULL [32] sawyer/carpenter; his mother Ellen M [32]; sisters Winifred [10], Ellen [8] and Mabel [5]; brother Frederick [6] and uncle John SPALDING [20]. All were born in Thetford. Admitted to Elveden Voluntary Aided Primary School on 28th April 1902 1911 census...Aged 13, he was at 39 Builder's Yard, Elveden with his parents, sisters Winifred Ethel, Ellen Elizabeth and Mabel Agnes; brother Frederick George (domestic gardener).. |
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He enlisted in North Walsham.
The battalion war diary has:- " Left sub sector- 29th - Again fine and warm with perfect visibility. Our artillery active during the afternoon and night. Enemy artillery maintained increased activity and shelled the whole of the forward area intermittently during the day and night. ROBECQ was shelled at intervals all day. One shell at 7:15 pm setting fire to a farm at P.24.c.2.3. Our planes were active and always heavily engaged by A.A. guns, Between 3 and 3:45 pm 5 enemy planes crossed our lines but were driven back by A.A. and M.G.fire. At 8:15 pm an enemy machine destroyed one of our P.B's NE of ST.VENANT. 10 enemy O.B's were up at 12 noon. Commencing at 10 pm and inter company relief was carried out without incident. Relief being completed by 1 am on 30th. 2 O.R's were wounded during the day. The diary has 2 killed on the 28th,so the exact date that William was killed is a moot point since CWG has 3 killed on 29th, none on 28th. The current site of farm mention in war diary above photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission and also on the Weather Heath Memorial (Elveden Column by the A11) click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
