Monday 18 May 2015

Spencer, James Hilary - Captain

1st Battalion,
Lancashire Fusiliers,
Died of Wounds 16th July 1918,
Age 24

Buried at Lille Southern Cemetery.





SPENCER MEMORIAL TABLET
UNVEILING AT HASLINGDEN PARISH CHURCH.

A bronze tablet placed in Haslingden Parish Church - on the pillar on the south side at the end of the gallery - by Mrs. Spencer, widow of the late Rev. A. Spencer, M.A., for some years. Vicar of Haslingden, but afterwards Vicar of Accrington, in memory of her husband, who died in 1917, and of Mr. and Mrs. Spencer's two sons, Lieut. George Spencer, D.S.C., R.N.R., and Capt. J. Hilary Spencer, both of whom surrendered their lives in the war, the latter whilst a prisoner in German hands, was unveiled on Sunday morning by Canon Downham, Rural Dean.  The ceremony followed the third collect, Canon Downham briefly, but touchingly referred to Mr. Spencer's valuable services whilst Vicar of Haslingde, the high esteem he won, and to the patriotic spirit that always distinguished the family, a spirit to which the tablet gave proof.  The choir sand the anthem "The radiant morn," and there were appropriate hymns. The tablet is inscribed:-


To the 
Glory of God,
and in loving
memory of
REV. A. SPENCER, M.A.,
formerly Vicar of this Parish,
who died
May 24th, 1917, aged 72,
also 
LIEUTENANT GEORGE SPENCER,
D.S.C., R.N.R.,
mortally wounded at Zeebrugge
April 23rd, 1918, aged 31
also
CAPTAIN J. HILARY SPENCER,
Lancashire Fusiliers.