Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Spence, a master blacksmith, born 1857 in Slawston, Leicestershire and his wife Eliza Spence (nee Simkin, married in the 3rd quarter of 1878 in the Uppingham, Rutland district), born 1856 in Hallaton, Leicestershire. Horace was born in the 3rd quarter of 1894 in Knossington, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Walter, an apprentice blacksmith, born 1884, Charlie, born 1887, Bertha, born 1889, Clara, born 1891, Florence, born 1892 and Maggie, born 1898, all his siblings were born in Knossington, in March 1901 the family home was at Braunston Road, Knossington. In April 1911 Horace was employed as a butcher and was residing in the family home at Knossington, together with his father, a blacksmith, his mother and siblings, Charlie, a general bricklayer, Clara and Maggie, a schoolgirl. Horace also had the following elder siblings, twins Jeffrey and Frederick, born 1879 and Rose, born 1881, the latter three siblings were all born in Knossington.
Horace attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 14th November 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his home address as Knossington, Oakham, his age as 20 years and 153 days and his trade or calling as labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Charles Spence of Knossington, Oakham as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height, weighed 153 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 36½ inches. His physical development was described as normal. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 16017 on the 15/11/14. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Aldershot on the 22/11/14. At Perham Down, charged with being absent from parade at 4.10pm on the 17/5/15, awarded 3 days C.B. on the 19/5/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Attached to 152nd Company Royal Engineers, in the field on the 22/2/16. Killed in action, in the field, place not stated on the 14/8/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 14/11/14 – 28/7/15, 257 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 14/8/16, 1 year 18 days. Total service 1 year 275 days. Horace was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Horace’s father Charles Spence on the 9th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?- Wilkinson, Clerk in Holy Orders, The Rectory, Knossington, Oakham on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Charles Spence of Knossington, Oakham, Rutland. Mother of soldier, Eliza Spence, of Knossington, Oakham, Rutland. Full blood brothers of soldier, Frederick and Jeffrey Spence (twins) aged 40 of Knossington, Oakham, Rutland. Walter Spence, aged 36 of Knossington, Oakham, Rutland. Charlie Spence, aged 33 of Knossington, Oakham, Rutland. Full blood sisters of soldier, Rose, aged 35 of Morton, Gainsborough. Clara, aged 28 of Laughton, Gainsborough. Bertha, aged 31 of Knossington, Oakham, Rutland. Florry, aged 25 of Knossington, Oakham, Rutland. Maggie, aged 22 of Knossington, Oakham, Rutland. Horace’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 14 Aug-16 - TRENCHES. 10.00pm. Enemy exploded a mine immediately under CLARENCE CRATER, the new crater was immediately occupied on both lips by “A” and “B” Companies. Enemy did not attempt to leave his trenches. It is thought that he fired the mine in order to blow our galleries which were then only about 30 feet away from him. Very good work was done by Lt. HOWITT, “A” Company’s 2nd Lt. EVANS in consolidating the near lip of the crater and digging out the men who were buried. About 250 feet of the defence line was obliterated entirely and also the top of AUGUST AVENUE. 2nd Lt. PHILLIPS was killed. The two Companies in the firing line suffered 8 casualties all of which were killed. The 14th Battalion NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS who were working on the DEFENCE LINE had 15 men buried all of which were killed. Many men who were buried were dug out after being under several hours. Good assistance was given by the NEW ZEALAND Tunnelling Company and a group of the 17th LANCERS. By morning of the 15th, 96 trench and a part of 95 and AUGUST AVENUE were clear and the lip of the crater consolidated.
On Friday September 15th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – KNOSSINGTON MAN KILLED. We regret to learn that Pte. H. Spence, of Knossington, has been killed in action. He enlisted in the Leicesters in November 1914, and went to the front in July 1915. He was 22 years of age, and was of a bright and happy disposition, being liked by all with whom he came in contact. Deceased was a member of the church choir and a regular attendant. He was a good all round sportsman, being a member of the village Cricket and Football Club. Much sympathy will be felt for the bereaved family.