| Rank | L/ Cpl. |
| Service # | 8503 |
| Unit # | 2nd Bn., 1st Bn. |
| Resident | Chatham |
Regimental number: 8503. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9168 – 25, Idem: 242791, PDF:- 39168-SO25. Date of Birth: 18/10/1896 Born in Perth Lanark County Ontario, The son of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Spalding. Eric. N of K: Mrs. W. R. Spalding. Eric had been living and working for some time as an express clerk at the Dominion Express Company in Chatham, ON.
Single, he served 3 years in the local Volunteer Militia in Lanark Co. Attestation: 22/09/14 at Valcartier, PQ. Age: 19 yrs. & 4 Mths., Height: 5’ 10” , Girth: 37” Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Black. Medical: “Fit”, at Valcartier, PQ. 22/09/14.
Service posted leaving for England 12/08/1914 to 31/10/14. Departed from Montreal, PQ. aboard the S.S. Cassauda, 4/10/14.
It was presumed that Pte. Eric Spalding died on Service 24/04/15, age: 18 yrs. while serving in France. Missing – Presumed dead – In the Field.
SPALDING, ERIC JOSH Initials: E J Nationality: Canadian Rank: Lance Corporal Regiment: Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) Unit Text: 2nd Bn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 24/04/1915 Service No: 8503 Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Spalding, of Perth, Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 10 – 18 – 26 – 28. Cemetery: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL CWGC
His name is also listed on the Roll of Honour of the Perth & District Collegiate. CDP 15/07/15.
Mrs. Annie Spalding, Perth, ON. received the Memorial Cross (1/12/1920). Also the Memorial Scroll, 28/12/1920 and the Memorial Plaque: 17/10/1921. Eric was eligible for the 1914 – 15 Stae
Mrs. Annie Spalding was also given a pension 25/07/16.
The CVWM website has photos of L/Cpl. Eric Spalding, 4th Co. 2nd Batt. 1st Brig 1st Cdn. Contingent – reported since 24/04/1915 at Langemarck. One of the more battles of that time.
It was common practice for news papers to list the fatalities of battle:-
From the RENFREW MERCURY – 11/06/1915 – in part.
“We were in a house about 300 yards in front of the most advanced trenches which we won, and when the order came to retire as the French were falling we had to cross 300 yards under machine-guns rifles and a perfect hail of shrapnel. Six of us out of 31 made it and it was all of the old 42nd that held the house
Capt. Hooper was with us and the last to leave the house. He is reported missing also a great loss to our battalion and he was one of our most able officers.
Many of the early battles the Canadians were in resulted in men where: Missing- Presumed Dead. The bodies of the fallen were often not identified. This would be true for young Spalding.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (24-04-1915), St. Andrews United Church - Roll of Honour - Chatham, Victoria Ave. United Church - Roll of Honour, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 9168 - 25, LAC, CVWM |
| Supplemental Information | Age: 20 Date of Death: 24/04/1915 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 10 - 18 - 26 - 28. Cemetery: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL CWGC |
| Height | 5'10" |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Age | 19 yrs. 4 mths. |
| Complexion | Dark |
| Hair | Black |
| Birthplace | 18/10/1896 Born in Perth County Ontario |
| Next of Kin | Mrs. W.R. Spalding, Mother |
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