23206, Private, Spencer Hugh PYMAR
Aged 19
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Birth registered as Spencer Hugh PYMAR in Depwade in Q1-1897 [Depwade 4b:252] to William John and Minnie Belle PYMAR (née CATER)of Franklins Farm,
Norwich Road, Woodton, near Loddon.
1901 census...Hugh [4] given as born in Tibenham, was at Franklins Farm, Woodton with his father William [38], a farmer born Langmere,Norfolk; his mother Minnie [41] born Stradbroke, Suffolk; and his sisters Hilda [12] born Denham and Moia [11] born Earl Soham, and his brothers Russell [7] and Cecil [6] both born in Worlingworth. 1911 census...Spencer [14] unemployed was at Seething, Brooke, Norfolk where his father was a farm bailiff, with his parents and brothers Russell and Reginald [6] born Woodton,Norfolk. Since all records of SDGW, CWGC and census give the family name as PYMAR, it appears his name is mis-spelt on the Newmarket Memorial. His only connection with Newmarket appears to be his parents moving to Newmarket to Soham Stud sometime during his army service (research needed to place this stud) and his name on the roll of honour in All Saints church. |
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His records have survived albeit many pages are un-readable On February 1st 1915 he enlisted in the Norfolk Regiment, giving his age as 19 years, occupation as grocer and address at ? Farm, Seething, Norfolk. He was 5' 8" ( 172.7 cm) tall, chest 32" to 34" (81.3 to 86.4 cm). On his next of kin page he has crossed out father and replaced with mother and the address was Soham Stud, Newmarket, Suffolk. From the 3rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment he was transferred to the 10th Battalion Border Regiment on 9th November 1915, being posted to France on 30th December 1915 (just in time to qualify for .the 1914-15 Star). There is nothing legible on line then until the notice to inform his relatives that he was seriously ill in General Hospital, St. Omer, dated 5th April 1916. This was followed by the notice of his death at 1050 a.m. on 28th April 1916 at St Omer, General Hospital from Cerebrospinal Fever. There follows a paper chase to find out where to send his effects, his mother's address being Mrs Minnie B Pymar, c/o Miss Birds, 14 Trafford Road, Norwich on 25th July 1916, cancelled out by a letter on 4th September 1919 to Mrs Minnie B. Pymar at 28 Victoria Street, Norwich. That was followed by a letter to Mrs Minnie Pymar at Soham Street, Newmarket, Suffolk, so they could send his death plaque and scroll. This appears to have been unsuccessful as on 27 May 1920 a further letter was sent to Victoria Street, Norwich and this time she replied that she was indeed still there. Mysteriously there are two pages, one regarding 23260 Private Spencer Llewelyn Hugh Spencer of the Border Regiment asking for any discharge papers as he "was killed in action" and a reply simply stated SLH Pymar was "dead". These however are both dated May 1938, so unless the date stamp had been set up wrongly, a further mystery exists. |
photo: Rodney Gibson photo:Rodney Gibson
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details