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Thrandeston War Heroes

Spencer Alan GOWERS (1892 - 1916)

Spencer was born in Thrandeston in 1892 to Thomas and Ellen GOWERS (maiden surname COOPER). Spencer was 1 of 6 children, 3 of whom died in infancy.

Spencer attended the National School in Thrandeston. There is an entry in the schoolmistresses diary on 09 January 1898 which reads:

Spencer and Herbert Gower may not attend until after Wednesday.

The diary notes that attendance was better as the sanitary inspector had allowed several families to return to school. Further on it is noted that one boy had died from scarlet fever.

In 1901 at the age of 9 he was living with his family at Pimpsey in Thrandeston. In 1911 Spencer was still living at Pimpsey, Thrandeston with his family. He was 19 years of age and was working as a Labourer on a Farm.

It is not known when Spencer enlisted, but it is known that he was a Rifleman in the 1st /12th Battalion London Regiment (The Rangers).

Percy died on 01 July 1916, the beginning of the Battle of Albert. He was 24 years old and is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial Grand which is a memorial to the missing who fought at the Somme in France. He has a listing on the Commonwealth War Graves site, service number 471249. He was awarded the British and Victory Medals.

In Memory Of
Rifleman
SPENCER ALLEN GOWERS
Service Number: 471249
1st/12th Bn., London Regiment (The Rangers) who died on 01 July 1916
Remembered with Honour
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 9 C.
COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES


Thiepval Memorial (CWGC)

There is an article in the Diss Express on 29 July 1921. The article is regarding the Norfolk and Norwich district of the National Independent Order of Oddfellows stating that Spencer was on the Roll of Honour for their members who lost their lives in the Great War.



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Page last updated: 24 Nov 2022
© Moira Swinbourne & Thrandeston History Group