Gunner Edward Spencer
3446 Royal Field Artillery 21st Btty. 2nd Bde.
Killed in Action 21st April 1917, aged 32
Lived at 32 Eastham Street
Buried in Fosse No.7 Military Cemetery (Quality Street), France - Sp.Mem. 13.
Burnley Express 16th May 1917 - 19th May 1917 - 19th May 1917 - 18th August 1917

KILLED IN DUG-OUT
BURNLEY GUNNER’S FATE AT DUTY POST (Burnley Express & Advertiser 19th May 1917)

Gunner Edward Spencer, R.F.A., of 32 Eastham-street, Burnley, is reported in a letter from his brother, Driver John Spencer, A.S.C., to have been killed in a dugout by a German shell on the night of April 21st. The letter, which was to their father, Mr. Wm. Spencer, of 4 Laycock-street, stated that Edward was killed while at his post of duty. He was seated at a telephone, in a dugout, carrying out signalling duties when the shell burst. The brother, who was serving in the vicinity, writes that on hearing of his death he hurried to see his funeral, but was just to late. Sincere sympathy will be extended to deceased widow, who is left with three children, the youngest of whom (aged seven months) their father had not seen. Mrs. Spencer received a letter from one of her husband’s comrades at the Front, who stated on behalf of the signalling staff, that Gunner Spencer was very much liked by all the men, and they sent their deepest sympathy.
Gunner Spencer joined up two years ago. He was formerly a miner at Rumley Pit. He was a member of the Burnley United Irish League and had served on the committee. He attended St. Mary’s Church, and was a member of the Men’s Sodality. He was thirty two. His two brothers, John and Willie, respectively drivers in the A.S.C. and the Burnley Howitzer Brigade are at the Front. Mrs Spencer has one brother serving.