Commemorated: | |||
Awards & Titles: | Military Cross & 2 Bars British War Medal Victory Medal | ||
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) |
1st Battalion August 1914 : in Bombay, India. Returned to England, landing Plymouth 2 October 1914. 2 October 1914 : moved to Hursley Park and attached to 24th Brigade in 8th Division. 5 November 1914 : landed at Le Havre. Note: brigade attached for purposes of giving instruction to 23rd Division, 18 October 1915 to 15 January 1916. |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
For his service in the great war and in addition to the MC & 2 Bars cited below, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Detail :
London Gazette
A. LG30393 Page 12096 21st November, 1917. 2Lt.
B. LG30901 Page 11018 16th September, 1918. Military Cross
C. LG31043 Page 14222 2nd December, 1918. 1st Bar to Military Cross
D. LG31119 Page 589 11th January, 1919. 2nd Bar to Military Cross
A. From Officer Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant 31st Oct. 1917 -Notts, and Derby. R. — ... Norman Frederic Spatcher ...
B. Military Cross: "2nd Lt. Norman Frederic Spatcher, Notts & Derby. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his company had been heavily shelled for some hours and had suffered severe casualties and he was the only officer left, by his ,own example of coolness and courage he maintained the steadiness of the men, and when ordered to counterattack he personally reconnoitred the ground under heavy shell fire and led on the company that he was now commanding. He showed very fine qualities of leadership, and saved the situation at a critical period by his fine example of gallantry."
C. 1st Bar to MC. "2nd Lt. Norman Frederic Spatcher, M.C.,7th Bn., Notts. & Derby R., T.F., attd. 1st Bn. For conspicuous gallantry and determination while leading his platoon. He bombed up communication trenches and drove out the enemy. When two platoons of another company were left without officers, he led them forward in bombing attacks and established his position. After the enemy counter-attacked he displayed extraordinary energy, fighting at various times with bombs, rifle, bayonet and revolver. He was the victor in several hand-to-hand encounters, and by his example raised the courage of his men to a pitch of the utmost enthusiasm."
D. 2nd bar to MC. "2nd Lt. Norman Frederic Spatcher, M.C., 7th Bn., N. and Derby. R., T.F., attd. 1st Bn. He commanded a platoon in a raid on a village held by the enemy, leading his men with conspicuous gallantry and determination. His fine example greatly contributed to the success of the enterprise."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Bowyer No. 1036 E.C. | Oxfordshire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
9th December 1919 | 3rd February 1920 | 2nd March 1920 |
Listed as a 28 year old Manager from Banbury at the time of his initiation into Bowyer Lodge at Chipping Norton in 1919.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley