World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously on October 26, 1918 for his actions as a sergeant in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), Canadian Expeditionary Force on August 13, 1918 near Parvillers, France during the Hundred Days Offensive near the end of World War I. Born in Ealing, West Sussex, England, he emigrated with his family to Winnipeg, Canada when he was two years old. In August 1915 he joined the 90th Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, following the outbreak of World War I, and was later transferred to the PPCLI and sent to the Western Front where he saw action in several engagements, including the Battle of Amiens (August 8 to 12, 1918). The day after the end of the battle, he was killed at the age of 28, fighting off a German attack and his body was never recovered. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice when, during an enemy counter-attack, his platoon was isolated. Thereupon Sjt. Spall took a Lewis gun and, standing on the parapet, fired upon the advancing enemy, inflicting very severe casualties. He then came down the trench directing the men into a sap seventy-five yards from the enemy. Picking up another Lewis gun, this gallant N.C.O. again climbed the parapet, and by his fire held up the enemy. It was while holding up the enemy at this point that he was killed. Sjt. Spall deliberately gave his life in order to extricate his platoon from a most difficult situation, and it was owing to his bravery that the platoon was saved." His Victoria Cross is on display at the PPCLI Museum at The Military Museums in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award posthumously on October 26, 1918 for his actions as a sergeant in the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), Canadian Expeditionary Force on August 13, 1918 near Parvillers, France during the Hundred Days Offensive near the end of World War I. Born in Ealing, West Sussex, England, he emigrated with his family to Winnipeg, Canada when he was two years old. In August 1915 he joined the 90th Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, following the outbreak of World War I, and was later transferred to the PPCLI and sent to the Western Front where he saw action in several engagements, including the Battle of Amiens (August 8 to 12, 1918). The day after the end of the battle, he was killed at the age of 28, fighting off a German attack and his body was never recovered. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice when, during an enemy counter-attack, his platoon was isolated. Thereupon Sjt. Spall took a Lewis gun and, standing on the parapet, fired upon the advancing enemy, inflicting very severe casualties. He then came down the trench directing the men into a sap seventy-five yards from the enemy. Picking up another Lewis gun, this gallant N.C.O. again climbed the parapet, and by his fire held up the enemy. It was while holding up the enemy at this point that he was killed. Sjt. Spall deliberately gave his life in order to extricate his platoon from a most difficult situation, and it was owing to his bravery that the platoon was saved." His Victoria Cross is on display at the PPCLI Museum at The Military Museums in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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