Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O., M.C. group of ten awarded to Brigadier F. E. Spencer, Royal Garrison Artillery, late Commandant Straits Settlements Volunteer Force

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; Military Cross, G.V.R.; China 1900, no clasp (Lieut. F. E. Spencer, 62/Co. R.G.A.); Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse (Lieut. F. E. Spencer, 7th Mtn. By. R.G.A.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt. F. E. Spencer, R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. F. E. Spencer, R.G.A.); War Medal; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted court style as worn, the star sometime gilded, nearly very fine or better (10) £2500-3000

D.S.O. London Gazette 16 September 1918:

‘Major Francis Elmhirst Spencer, M.C., R.G.A. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Under heavy shell and machine-gun fire he used his guns with great effect, destroying numbers of the enemy and materially assisting the infantry. He showed fine dash and leadership.’

M.C. London Gazette 14 January 1916: Captain, Royal Artillery.

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915 (Captain 33rd Battery); 1 January 1916 (Captain, Royal Artillery); 4 January 1917 (Major, M.C.); 14 December 1917 (Major, M.C., R.G.A.); and 23 December 1918 (Major (A/Lt. Col.) D.S.O., M.C., attd. C/186th Bde. R.F.A.).

Francis Elmhirst Spencer was born on 25 July 1881, son of Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. H. Spencer, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Educated at Dover College and R.M.A., Woolwich, he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1900. He served with the China Expeditionary Force, 1900-01 (medal); Hong Kong, Straits Settlements, 1901-02; Mountain Artillery, India, 1903-11; Tibet Field Force and advance to Lhasa, 1904 (medal and clasp); Mekran Field Force 1911; Malay States Guides Mountain Battery, 1911-14; served with Royal Field Artillery, European War 1914-18, in France and Belgium (despatches five times, M.C., D.S.O.); Commandant (local Lieutenant-Colonel) Straits Settlements Volunteer Force, 1921-25; Lieutenant-Colonel 1927; Colonel 1931; Commander Royal Artillery, 55th (West Lancs) Division, T.A. Liverpool, 1932-34; Brigadier i/c Administration, Western Command, 1934-38; retired pay 1938; Commandant, Anti-Aircraft Practise Camp, Bude, A.A. & Q.M.G., 45th (West Country) Division (R.A.R.O.), 1939-40; Commander, 12th Devon Battalion, Home Guard, 1941-43; Regional Officer London Civil Defence Region, 1941-43; Admiralty Service S.V.P., 1944-46. Brigadier Spencer died on 6 March 1972.