Home World War Two Killed Sailor – Spencer, Harry – 17 Year-Old Lad – Member of Royal Oak’s Crew

Sailor – Spencer, Harry – 17 Year-Old Lad – Member of Royal Oak’s Crew

October 1939

Mexborough and Swinton Times, October 21, 1939

Seventeen-Year-Old Lad

Member of Royal Oak’s Crew

Last Saturday morning, Mrs. G. Spencer, of 26, Dryden Road, Mexborough, received a letter from her son, Harry, on board the Royal Oak. With it was a note from a shipmate, George Stephen; both of them wrote of the happy Christmas leave they were so much looking forward to in Mexborough, and Stephen of his warm appreciation of Mrs Spencer’s invitation. Later in the day Mrs. Spencer heard the first announcement of the sinking of the battleship, and early on Monday morning, learned from the War Office that her son had lost his life. Stephen was among the survivors.

This is the tragic story of what is probably Mexborough’s first war casualty. Spencer, who was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Spencer, was 17 ½ ; he had been in the Navy since he was 16. When the Royal Oak was re-commissioned earlier this year, he volunteered for service aboard her, and his acceptance realised for him one of his greatest ambitions.

During his comparatively short naval career, Spencer had often written home of his happiness in his new sphere. A former pupil at Adwick Road School, he worked at Mexborough brickyard and Denaby Main Colliery before joining up on the day following his sixteenth birthday. He went aboard the training ship Caledonia at Rosyth, and worked his way to the rank of Petty Officer boy. He joined the Royal Oak in March of this year, and had attained the rank of First Class Boy.

There are, five brothers and two sisters.               His father went through the Great War without a scratch, serving, with the artillery.

Spencer’s last letter home told his mother that he was very well and happy. She told me (writes a ‘Times” reporter) that he and Stephen were such good pals that she can only surmise that the latter must have been on duty and her son asleep when the explosions occurred. The appearance of Stephen’s name among the survivors increased her anxiety until eventually, the War Office communication arrived with its unhappy news.

She is very grateful for the many kind ‘messages of sympathy she has received A memorial service is to be held at the Parish Church on Sunday evening.

 

From C.W.G.C.:

Boy 1st Class
HARRY SPENCER
Service Number: P/JX 158255

Regiment & Unit/Ship Royal Navy H.M.S. Royal Oak

Date of Death Died 14 October 1939

Age 17 years old

Buried or commemorated at PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 34, Column 2.