Henry Spencer

Commander (emergency) Henry Spencer, R.N. (20 September, 1883 – 3 May, 1922) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Brighton.

Spencer placed fourteenth of sixty-one cadets passing out of Britannia in August 1899, earning 1601 of 2250 possible marks.

On 5 April, 1904 Spencer was appointed to Thames for six months' instruction in submarines.

Spencer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 October, 1904 when he emerged with his new skills. Oddly, his next two appointments were in the armoured cruiser Bacchante and the armoured cruiser Leviathan in the Mediterranean. It was not until 1 July, 1905 that he was appointed to Thames, additional, for service in submarines. On 12 February, 1906, he was re-appointed to Thames, this time for command of submarines. Sadly, in the prevalent record-keeping of the period, which submarines he was in command of is not specifically noted, but she was part of the Portsmouth Submarine Flotilla tending to a group of "A" and "B" class boats. {UK-A4}} and A 11 seem likely candidates.

Spencer resigned in September, 1908 and was placed on the emergency list the following month. It seems apparent that Spencer became a firefighter, perhaps in London.

Spencer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 October, 1912.

On 2 August, 1914 Spencer was appointed to Arrogant for submarines, though not in command. On 24 September 1915 he was re-appointed to the ship and in command of the Fourth Submarine Flotilla, but may not have been serving in submarines. He assisted in the preparation of bombardment and coastal operations in 1915.

Spencer was released from naval service in September 1917 and left command of Arrogant to return to the London Fire Brigade, which had been lobbying for him to return.

Spencer was promoted to the rank of Commander on the Emergency List in recognition for wartime service, dated 11 November, 1918.

See Also

• Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Alexander R. Palmer	Captain of H.M.S. Arrogant 24 Sep, 1915 – Sep, 1917	Succeeded by George A. Saltren-Willett
Preceded by Charles J. C. Little	Commander (S), Fourth Submarine Flotilla 24 Sep, 1915 – Sep, 1917	Succeeded by Thomas C. B. Harbottle