BERTRAM SPENCE
1888 – 21st September 1918
Bertram Spence was born in Penarth in 1888. He was the eldest son of John and Elizabeth Spence
of 11, Baroness Place. When Bertram was born, John Spence was 34 and his mother, Elizabeth
Spence (nee Aungiers) was 29.
The 1901 census shows the family have moved to 24 Victoria Road. Bertram had twin brotherrs,
Leonard and Harold, born in 1895, and three sisters, Ethel, Mabel and Hilda. By 1901 John is now a
widower with six children. John’s occupation is shown as manager of an engine works. In this
census Ralph and Mary Spence, John’s brother and sister are also in the house. Their place of birth
is given as Gilling, Richmond-in-York. Gilling is the home of the famous “Gilling Sword” which
was found in Gilling Beck and is thought to date back to the 9th Century
As I have worked through these biographies, I see once again that this family are living close to the
Pyman family, the Sweet-Escott and other families whom we are remembering at this time. They
are next door neighbours to John Coates Carter, famous distinguished architect who built many
famous buildings in Penarth, including some in our own church.
(All Saints Parish Hall, designed by John Coates Carter)
The 1911 census shows that the three boys were still at home, as well as their sister Hilda. John’s
occupation is given as iron & coal merchant, and Bertram is a marine engineer. Bertram’s
enlistment date is not clear, but records show that he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 90th battalion,
Royal Fusiliers, which is part of the London Regiment. The London Regiment is an Infantry
Regiment in the British Army, part of the Army Reserve. The Regiment saw distinguished service
in WW1. The 9th Battalion was formed in August 1914 and landed in France in May 1915.