War Service Index

Mother: Harriet Mary Spriggs (1869 - )

1895 Birth: 04 Oct 1895. Registered as Frederick George, 'George Frederick' given at attestation.

1896 Baptism: 03 Jan 1896 at the Holy Saviour Church, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England

1901 Census England: Hitchin Union Workhouse, Hertfordshire, England. Harriet Mary Spriggs, domestic cook, b. Donisthorpe, Northamptonshire. Ernest Arthur John Spriggs son, 9. Frederick George Spriggs, son, 6. 

Named on the War Memorial with other boys from the National Children's Home & Orphanage, Edgworth, Frederick George Spriggs was resident at the Home some time between the Workhouse in 1901 and leaving for Canada in 1911. The National Children's Home at Edgworth, Crowthorn near Bolton, Lancashire is about one mile outside the village of Edgworth, on the moors. F G Spriggs, NCH Edgworth

1911 Emigration: aged 15 by the National Children's Home, departed Liverpool, England aboard the SS Dominion on 09 Mar 1911. Arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on 19 Mar 1911. Transferred to the NCH, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to be placed and indentured as a farm labourer. BHC Registry ID # 52121: G F Spriggs

1911 Census Canada: Mary A. Alton (50) and Albert Alton (35) noted Frederick was born in Ontario [sic] and an immigration date of 1911 was added but was subsequently crossed out.  He was visited at the farm and it was noted on his records that he was on Active Service.

1914 Enlisted: at Clinton, Ontario, Canada on 03 Nov 1914 aged 19. Single, farmer, 5’ 7”, fair, ruddy complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair, previous experience with the Militia and was a Wesleyan Methodist. Next of kin: Placement family: Albert Alton, Belfast, Huron County, Ontario, Canada. 

Rank/Unit: Private, 18th Battalion, Western Ontario Regiment, Canadian Infantry. Service No: 53738

1915 Embarked: aboard the SS Grampian from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to Avonmouth, Bristol, England 18-29 Apr 1915. Mobilized with 33rd Huron Regiment. The 18th was posted to West Sandling Camp, Shorncliffe, on arrival.

1915 to France: on 14-15 Sep 1915, the 18th Battalion proceeded to France as part of the 2nd Canadian Division, from Folkestone, England to Boulogne, France.

1916 Death: Killed in Action at Courcelette on 02 Oct 1916, Battle of the Somme. No known grave. Commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France. CWGC Commemoration: George Frederick Spriggs      Findagrave # 56683900 George Frederick Spriggs

Commemorated on the War Memorial at the Methodist Church, Edgworth, Lancashire, England

Grave registration sent to brother Arthur Ernest Spriggs of 5 Grove Road, North Finchley, London, England but was undeliverable. Ernest's contact as NoK after 23 Sep 1915 was given as: - brother, Ernest Spriggs, General Delivery, Wellington, New Zealand. 

Photo Credit: from the collection of B Nuckowski – Wes(ley) Alton Family Tree, friend of George