We Remember

Albert Speechly

Albert Speechly
Rank: 
Sergeant
Regimental number: 
55547
Unit at enlistment: 
19th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Date of death: 
September 15th, 1916
Cemetery: 
Pozieres British Cemetery - Somme, France - IV.R.38.
Commemorated at: 
Brantford Congregational Church, Grace Anglican Church, St. Paul's United Church, Sergeants Mess, Ancient Order of Foresters
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Lincolnshire
Birth city: 
Grantham
Address at enlistment: 
11 Spring Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
11 Spring Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Willow worker
Employer: 
Brantford Willow Works
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
39
Image gallery: 

Letters and documents

Cause and Place of Death: Killed in Action

BX October 6, 1915

Three Brantford Men Killed in Action Reported Today – Sergeant Albert Speechly, Privates James Finnemore and William Thomas Fuller

Sergeant Albert Speechly of 11 Spring Street, whose wife had word this morning that he had been killed in action, was very well known in the city. He went overseas with the second contingent. Prior to this war he had 11 years’ military experience, six years with the Second Lincoln’s, and five years with the 38th Dufferin Rifles.

He was employed at the Brantford Willow works, but was best known here through his activities with the Brantford Football league, of which he was president for the first two years, and then secretary. It was largely through his untiring efforts that the league was the success that it proved to be and the sporting circle of Brantford will mourn the loss of a true sportsman, one ever ready to take his share of work, and then some more. He was an Englishman, and perhaps for that was the readier to respond when the call came. He tried to enlist with the first contingent, but was turned down on account of bad teeth, making the remark then that he wanted to fight the Germans, not to eat them. However, he immediately set to work to have all the defective teeth extracted, and when the second call came he was one of the first to be on hand at the armories. As a non-commissioned officer, he was of a splendid type, and his seniors gave him much praise for his work, in which he took a deep interest. With the Dufferin Rifles, he was very active, and in regimental services he will be much missed. He died, as he would have wished death to come – while he was doing his duty.

BX April 19, 1916

March 31, 1916
Belgium,

Miss VanNorman,
Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E.

Dear Miss VanNorman,

It is with the greatest pleasure I write these few lines from the trenches on behalf of the O.C. and men of Brantford who are with the 19th Battalion now serving in Flanders, with reference to the many kindnesses and favors which the Brant Chapter of the Daughters of the Empire has been so generous in sending us from time to time since we left the shores of Canada to take our share of the burdens and hardships of our Empire as brave brothers.

It is my intention to convey something of the true appreciation we all feel for the splendid efforts put forth by the members of your chapter of that great order of patriotism, the I.O.D.E.

It is very hard indeed to put into mere words the intense admiration and gratitude with which we look upon the women of our Empire today, for their untiring efforts and self-sacrifice that our lot may be the brighter and more comfortable here, amongst the turmoil and hardships of war. It is with a feeling of deeper pride, if that were possible, we look and think across the great space that divides us from Brantford and all it means to us, that great distance which is shortened so much by the thoughtfulness of the women of Brantford. It is this very thing which gives us the strength, the courage, to face our responsibilities in their fullness.

One cannot say very much of the life here, for it is too long a story and much better accounts can be read in the papers. As to the progress of the war, it is almost remarkable the quiet confidence with which our armies are waiting a day when the tide of battle turns and all our energies are concentrated upon the humiliation of our enemies – the enemies of civilization – for it was never truer than now that we will not countenance peace at all until Belgium has been more than revenged for the unspeakable atrocities her brave people have suffered and the wild desolation, that has been wrought in her lands. Not till Serbia and Poland are again relieved from the despotism under which they are now suffering can we think of returning home, and in conclusion I would just like to say that we do think of home very often.

Thanking you again for your great kindness, on behalf of the Brantford men in the 19th Battalion, I am.

Yours very truly,

A. Speechly

BX November 2, 1914

Was Presented

The shop mates of Sergeant Albert Speechly at the Brantford Willow works met on Saturday and presented him with a wrist watch as a token of their good wishes. Sergeant Speechly leaves with the second contingent of the Dufferin Rifles.

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