Sunday 8th June 1919

Following the response to her recent appeal regarding the fate of Pte. Alfred Spencer (see 23^rd May), who had been officially ‘missing in action’ since 20^th September 1917, his widow, Selina, wrote to the Infantry Record Office in York: “I am writing on behalf of my dear husband, Pte. Alfred Spencer. He has been reported missing since 20^th September 1917 and I have never heard from him since. Last week I put his photograph in the paper and four young men recognised him from Settle and said they had left him in Italy and he was very absent-minded. He had been shell shocked before he was missing on the 20^th and that is what made me never give him up. So dear sir you can guess how anxious I am for more news about him and I do trust that you can help me to trace him. He was well built, his hair rather curly and big blue eyes. Those boys said they are sure it is him and they left him to be demobbed. All that he said was that he was married. If you know anything of him please let me know at once and I shall be very gratefully thankful to you”.

Four days later she would receive an official reply, “If you can obtain a statement from the four young men in Settle who had recognised him in the photograph in the paper to the effect that they had left him in Italy, also giving the place and date and forward it to this office, they shall be forwarded to the War Office who will make full enquiries for you. When obtaining evidence from the men stated do not omit to ask them for their full regimental particulars as this will be very important”.

Pte. Alfred Spencer

Pte. Edward Shaw Powell (see 18^th February), serving in Fiume with 8^th Yorks. and Lancs., departed for England on two weeks’ leave.

A/Cpl. Archie Lamb (see 18^th February), who had been serving in Fiume with 8^th Yorks. and Lancs., was formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.

Pte. Bertie Cox (see 9^th May) was formally transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z.