Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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Albert Charles Spurgeon

Male 1894 - Yes, date unknown


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  • Name Albert Charles Spurgeon 
    Born 29 Mar 1894  Halstead, , Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3] 
    Gender Male 
    Interesting military, life story, hero 
    Military WW1 
    Immigration 1906  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Occupation 1911  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Fitter Apprentice, Machine Shop 
    Residence 1911  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Anglican 
    Military 1914  WW1 Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    WW1, Private, 29th Regiment / 111th Battalion 
    Military 1914  WW1 Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    WW1, Service #730571 
    Residence , England Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Residence Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Residence Halstead, , Essex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Residence 15 Summit Ave., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-209478P 
    Died Yes, date unknown 
    Buried Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Person ID I209478  Generations
    Last Modified 1 Dec 2024 

    Father Charles John Spurgeon,   b. 4 Jan 1871, , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Selina E. Finch,   b. Oct 1872, , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F189973  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Mary Claridge,   b. 16 Mar 1894, London, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Dec 1980  (Age 86 years) 
    Last Modified 3 Dec 2024 
    Family ID F45312  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • POPULAR FORMER OFFICER OF 11TH GIVES LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY.

      FOUR OTHER GALT MEN ARE REPORTED TODAY AS WOUNDED.

      Killed in Action.

      Capt. J. Frank Welland.

      Wounded.

      Bombardier L. V. McCreith, M. M.
      Pte. Ernest W. A. Rundstaller
      Pte. David Whitla
      Pte. Albert C. Spurgeon

      Galt today has a heavy toll of casualties. The community was shocked at the receipt of news of the death in action on Nov. 5th of Capt. Joseph Frank Welland, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Welland, 22 Glebe street, and an exceptionally popular officer.

      Most of today's casualties were sustained during the first week in November and it is presumed they occurred in the fighting in which the Canadians took part in the vicinity of Passchendaele.

      Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family of the late Capt. Welland, whose demise so early in life is regretted by all. In giving his life for his country in the fight for righteousness, the late Capt. Frank Welland displayed the true spirit of a soldier. Had he been agreeable he would have been sent home in February last. The late officer was a sufferer from asthma and after being engaged as an instructor in England for some months, and his opportunity came to go to France, he doctored himself up for the asthma and was successful in eluding the Medical Board and got away to France. It was during the first week in May that Capt. Welland crossed the channel and went to the firing line. He had just recently been in London and Scotland on a well-earned leave and had been back in France only three weeks when he met his death.

      The late Capt. Welland was in his 25th year and was born near Galt on a farm. The family moved into Galt when he was young and he had spent practically all his life here. He was educated at the Dickson school and on graduating from the Collegiate Institute took a school teacher's course at the Hamilton Normal school. On obtaining his certificate he taught school for a short time at Freelton and then became assistant principal of St. Andrew's school in this city, which position he had very capably filled for a year and a half when he enlisted with the 111th Battalion. Deceased had been very successful at his chosen profession and had a most promising career.

      His Military Career.

      It was in 1913 that he entered upon his military career with his cousin, Capt. Fred Welland, now home after being wounded. He spent his summer vacation that year taking a cadet instructor's course at London and while in that city enlisted as a private with the 7th Fusiliers. When he returned to Galt after the holidays he became attached to the 39th Regiment, H. L. I. of C., and took out a lieutenant's commission, later qualifying for his captaincy and also as a field officer. When the 111th Battalion was being organized, he joined this unit along with his cousin, Capt. Fred Welland, and was placed second in command of A Company. He proved a most efficient officer, beloved by his men and greatly devoted to his work. He had specialized in bombing in England and was complimented by the Brigadier in England on the work of his bombing department. He was employed as an instructor all the time he was in England and on going to France had held various important positions as bombing officer, acting adjutant and for a time was attached to the Intelligence Department. In the same unit, to which the late Capt. Welland was attached in France there was another former 111th officer, Lieut. Yates of Preston.

      Only Monday, three letters were received from the deceased officer, two by his family and one by his cousin, Capt. Fred Welland, whose letter was written from Scotland before he returned to France.

      The death of the late Capt. Welland is mourned greatly by his cousin, Capt. Fred Welland, as the two cousins were greatly attached to each other and were more like brothers. They were associated with each other in practically everything they undertook, going to school together, and then enlisting in the same battalion.

      Deceased was a member of the Baptist church, and was also identified with the local Y.M.C.A. Besides his grief stricken parents, there survive four sister, Misses Isabelle and Ida, nurses in St. Louis; Elizabeth and Stella at home, the former a teach at Manchester school and the latter also a teacher, but at present attending Business College.

      M. M. Hero Wounded.

      Mrs. Rolland McCreith, Spruce street, was notified this morning that her youngest son, 84169 Bombardier Leo Vernon McCreith, M. M., who enlisted with the 16th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery at Guelph, shortly after the war broke out, had been admitted to the 6th British Red Cross Hospital at Etaples on Nov. 1, suffering from a gunshot wound in the right foot. Bombardier McCreith went overseas with the second contingent and has been in France nearly three years. Some months ago he was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field. This is the first time he has figured in the casualty list. This father and only brother are also in uniform.

      Three 111th Boys.

      The other three casualties reported this morning are all former members of the 111th.

      730,621, Pte. Ernest William Alexander Rundstaller, reported admitted to the First Field Ambulance Depot on Nov. 5th, with a gunshot wound in the right thigh and hand, is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Rundstaller of 74 Haddington street. He is a tailor by trade, single, and a former member of the 29th Regiment.

      Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Whitla, 184 Water street north, learned that their son, 730,110, Pte. David Whitla, had received a gunshot wound in the back and was a patient in the 6th General Hospital, Rouen, admitted on Oct. 31st. The wounded soldier is a brother of Lance-Corporal Wm. Whitla, who enlisted with the first battalion and who was awarded the Military Cross and who was the first Galt man to win a decoration.

      The fifth casualty is 730,571, Pte. Albert Charles Spurgeon, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sprugeon, 15 Summit avenue, who is reported in the First Field Ambulance Depot on November 6th with a shrapnel wound in the leg. The wounded soldier is only 24 years of age and was formerly employed at the C.M.C, works.

      In reply to a query, Mrs. William Cyples, corner of Cambridge street and Macadamized road, was notified this morning that her husband, 730,045, Lance-Corporal Wm. Cyples, reported wounded some time ago, was doing very well at the Duchess of Connaught Red Cross Hospital.

      The Galt Daily Reporter - Galt, Ontario, Tuesday, November 13, 1917

  • Sources 
    1. [S572] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1911, Div. 17 Page 35.

    2. [S122] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Mount View CC#4495 Internet Link .
      Spurgeon / Albert C. / Mar.29,1894 / Oct.31,1985 / C.Marie / Mar.16,1894 / Dec.18,1980 / Remembered with love / [veterans'cross]

    3. [S157] Military - Canada - World War I - Attestation papers.

    4. [S2231] Military - Kitchener Public Library - Soldier Information Card Collection - World War One.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 29 Mar 1894 - Halstead, , Essex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1906 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Fitter Apprentice, Machine Shop - 1911 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Anglican - 1911 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - - , England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - - Halstead, , Essex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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