Robert Spall
Sergeant, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. * Canadian Expeditionary Force
- Register No.
- 1172 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. * Canadian Expeditionary Force all Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 13 August 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 26th October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 5th March 1890 at Brentford, Middlesex
- Died
- in action on 13th August 1918 near Parvillers, France
- Memorial / grave
- on the Vimy Memorial, France. Sergeant Spall has no known grave
- Medal held by
- Princess Patricia's Light Infantry Museum,
Digest of citation
Sergeant Spall's Platoon became isolated during an enemy counter attack on the 12th 13th August 1918 near Parvillers, France. Taking a Lewis gun, he stood on a Parapet and fired upon the advancing enemy causing them to suffer many casualties. He came down from the trench, directing his men into a Sap, 75 yards from the enemy. Taking up another Lewis gun, he again mounted the Parapet and held up the enemy with his fire. During this action he was killed but thanks to his courage and the giving of his life, the platoon was saved
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SPALL, Robert. (reg No. 1172).
Sergeant. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. * Canadian Expeditionary Force.
London Gazetted on 26th October 1918.
VC Medal's Custodian is Princess Patricia's Light Infantry Museum, Calgary, Canada.
Born on 5th March 1890 at Brentford, Middlesex.
Killed in action on 13th August 1918 near Parvillers, France.
Memorial is on the Vimy Memorial, France. Sergeant Spall has no known grave.
Digest of Citation reads: Sergeant Spall's Platoon became isolated during an enemy counter attack on the 12th 13th August 1918 near Parvillers, France. Taking a Lewis gun, he stood on a Parapet and fired upon the advancing enemy causing them to suffer many casualties. He came down from the trench, directing his men into a Sap, 75 yards from the enemy. Taking up another Lewis gun, he again mounted the Parapet and held up the enemy with his fire. During this action he was killed but thanks to his courage and the giving of his life, the platoon was saved.
* Eastern Ontario Regiment.
* Eastern Ontario Regiment.
Calgary, Canada.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on the Vimy Memorial, France. Sergeant Spall has no known grave
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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