S/25461 Private
7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, 26th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish)Â Â Â Â Division
Age: 19
Date of Death: Died of Wounds 30.9.18
Buried: Haringhe (Bandeghem) Military Cemetery, III.B.11 https://www.theypressalient.com/post/haringhe-bandaghem-british-cemetery
Family history: Son of John and Elizabeth Spence, 5 Firs Street, Falkirk. He had two brothers and two sisters.
Â
The action leading to his death
On the 29/30 September, the 9th Division moved forward to capture the Keiberg Ridge. The British troops and the neighbouring Belgian forces were forced to pause in front of Waterdamhoek due to enemy fire. To strengthen the attack the 5/Cameron Highlanders, of the 26th Brigade, joined the attack. The renewed assault proved to much for the German defenders and the village was captured, and the advance continued over the Waterdamhoek Ridge. At this point, owing to casualties and some loss of direction, contact was lost between British and Belgian forces. Heavy machine gun fire and wired defences lead to the line being consolidated in front of Slypskappelle, facing Slypswood.
The Battalion War Diary recorded the casualties as ‘2 OR’s wounded’ Andrew Spence being one of them. He was sent down the line to the Casualty Clearing Station at Haringhe were he died and is buried in the cemetery that was attached to the hospital. You can read more about the evacuation and treatment of the wounded by clicking ont he link here
Medals Awarded:
The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
