331 www.on.legion.ca SPAHR, John Edward John was born on January 5, 1884 in New Hamburg, Ontario to John and Clara (Farrow) Spahr. Prior toWorldWar I, John was employed with CNR as an engineer on Government Road out of Grayham. He enlisted in the Army (Regular Force) in Sioux Lookout (Fort William Unit) on April 10, 1916 with the 5th Battalion. After sixty days of basic training, he was transferred to the 94th OS Battalion and on his way to England aboard the SS Olympic, arriving on July 6, 1916. A couple of months later, he was in France, fighting in a war. On October 8, 1916, he was hospitalized with shrapnel wounds to his right side and back. Upon recovery, he was re-assigned to the 5th Battalion (Saskatchewan Regiment) and back to the battle. He was in the trenches when a bomb landed close by and shrapnel tore through his abdomen. John died of his injuries on December 5, 1916 and is buried at Villers-au-Bois, Station Cemetery, France. John Spahr is commemorated on page 166 of the First World War Book of Remembrance in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. SPENCER, George Edward The youngest child of John and Beatrice Spencer, George was born on July 6, 1924, in Galt, Ontario. His Father, John Richard Spencer had served with the 20th Infantry Battalion during World War I. He had watched his four older brothers all enlist to serve with different military units when World War II was declared. Growing up, George was active in sports playing softball and hockey in which he played on juvenile and midget teams for his hometown of Galt. George enlisted after he turned 18 in 1943 and served with the Royal Canadian Engineers. George’s Military unit would assist in liberating Holland from Nazi occupation. Following the war, George would marry Gladys Dedman. They would go on to have three children: Dianne, Brenda and Richard. He had a successful career working as an Engineer for B. W & G. M. George was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Hespeler Branch 272. George Spencer passed away on March 12, 2004. SPENCER, Henry Elrick Born in Welland, Ontario on March 30, 1912, but raised in Galt, Ontario, Henry’s parents were Beatrice and John Richard Spencer. His father was a war veteran having served during World War I with the 20th Infantry Battalion. In his youth, he was an avid softball player. He and four of his brother’s would serve in the Canadian military during the World War II. A member of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada Reserves prior to enlisting for active service in 1940. Henry trained at the Petawawa military base and served as a “Gunner” for the Royal Canadian Artillery. In August 1944, Henry Spencer became wounded during a battle in one of the Normandy campaign battles, most likely operation TRACTABLE. He was shot in the leg with shrapnel. This injury marked the end to his military career. Henry arrived home to Galt on March 20, 1945. He was married twice during his life, first to Florence Mae Heath, with whom he had three daughters: Shirley, Marilyn and Florence. Following the war, Henry fell in love with Reta Mae Quirk the two married. Henry Spencer passed away on August 1, 1987, at the age of 75. We Will Remember Them Ontario Command
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