Worcestershire Regiment

Hi

I am a watch collector and recently acquired a Trench Watch used during WWI with an inscription on the back that reads: "Spreat 7th Worcesters". I believe he was a Lieutenant in this Unit. I am trying to obtain some additional history about the original owner of this watch. I would appreciate any help or information concerning this individual.

Thank you,

Tony

Hi Tony,

I did send you an email on the 8th March but it came back as your email address rejected. Below is the information I have:

This watch belonged to Shirley Hulke Spreat who was an officer in the 2/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.

At the start of WW1 he was a Private soldier with the Honourable Artillery Company (H.A.C.) and at that time his army number was 1244. He landed in France with the H.A.C. on the 18th September 1914. At some point in 1915 he returned to the UK and on the 18th April 1915 he was commissioned in to the7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He joined the 2/7th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. He embarked with the 2/7th Battalion from Southampton on the ship s.s. Cesarea and reached Harvre, France on the 25th May 1915.

At the time his home address was listed as; Burrington, Whelstone, London N.20.

On the 21st June 1917 he was promoted to Lieutenant.
On the 26th May 1916 he was appointed Acting Captain.
On the 19th October 1918 he was appointed Temporary Captain.
Between the 24th January 1918 and the 26th September 1918 he was attached to the Tank Corps with the acting rank of Captain whilst he was second-in-command of a Company.

Shirley Hulke Spreat was born 18th March 1894, Clydesdale, Oakleigh Park; died 12th September 1959, Larches, Moor Park. His father was Frank Arthur Spreat (born 1861; died 1934) who was a Physician & Surgeon (Medical Officer of Health), his mother was Edith Backhouse Hulke (born 1864; died 1948). You can see how Shirley Hulke Spreat got his middle name!
He had a brother and sister. JOYCE HULKE SPREAT born 1893 and LEICESTER HULKE SPREAT born 1898

Shirley Hulke Spreat married Laura Gwendoline Allom on the 7th March 1918, at Barnet, London. Laura (daughter of Charles Carrick Allom and Laura Ann Tatham) was born 12th August 1898, 35 Mowbray Road, Willesden; died 24th August 1984, Hillingdon.
They had 4 Children:

1. Shirley Carrick Allom Spreat born 19th November 1919, Fairlawn, Totteridge, Barnet, London ; died 1st November 1976, Hammersmith. From what I can find I think he married twice. He married Betti M. Vemore-Rowland at Kensington, London in 1945 and he remarried Patricia B. T. O'Brien at Watford, Hertfordshire in 1956.
2. Josephine Allom Spreat born 1919, Hendon, London.
3. Martin Allom Spreat born 1926, Hendon, London.
4. John C. Spreat born 1937, Hendon, London. Married Sandra Mumford in 1964, Maidenhead, Berkshire. They had 2 children; Emma J.Spreat born 1965, Watford, Hertfordshire and Peter John Gordon Spreat born 2nd January 1969, Watford, Herfordshire (he died on the 12th September 1971, Watford, Hertfordshire). Emma J. Spreat married Graham A. J. Taylor in 1986 at Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

Also Shirley Hulke Spreat was company director of White Allom Aircraft in 1938. I think this company has links with his wifes family.

Hope this give you something to go on.

I will add the photo of the watch to the website when I have time.

Regards,

Louis (webmaster)

Hi Louis

Thank you for the information. I'm glad to hear that Captain Spreat survived the war and went on to live what appears to be a full life. I will keep his history with the watch. It is an honor to perpetuate the memory of a brother in arms and the service to his country.

Regards,
Tony

Hi Tony

Some additional information for you.

8th December 1917 edition of the Worcester Herald

Capt S. H. Spreat attd Tank Corps - Wounded

Regards Allan

I would be interested to know more about the watch Tony - it belonged to my grandfather. I remember seeing it as a child and being told stories by my gran. How did you acquire it?

Emma

Hi Emma,

I have sent you an email with a copy of the photo of the watch Tony sent me. I have also added Tony's email address so you could try contacting him directly.

If you have a photo of your grandfather in uniform then I would welcome one for the website.

Regards,

Louis (webmaster)