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Captain
ROBERT JOHN GOLD-SPILSBURY
Royal Engineers
(formerly 1859961 Warrant Officer Class I)  

by

Lieutenant Colonel Edward De Santis, MSCE, P.E., MInstRE
February 2020 (revised January 2022)  

Figure 1.  Company Sergeant Major Robert John Gold-Spilsbury, c. 1937.
(Photograph courtesy of the Army Rifle Association)    

1.  INTRODUCTION  

            The principal references used in the preparation of this narrative were from a number of sources.  They include census records, official registries in the United Kingdom, medal rolls, family trees, Army Lists, and The London Gazette.  The main source of information regarding Spilsbury’s military career came from 17 editions of The Sapper, the Journal of the Royal Engineers, from 1929 to 1936.  All sources are contained in the REFERENCE section at the end of the narrative and are cited throughout in the ENDNOTES.  Where no citation is given, the information was obtained from an issue of The Sapper. 

            Unlike other research projects of this nature, some difficulties were encountered in finding information regarding the officer’s life.  The family trees found on the internet were helpful up to a point; however, none of the public family trees indicated marriage information regarding Spilsbury.  He enlisted in the Royal Engineers after the Great War of 1914-1918 and served during the Second World War; however, the medals in the author’s collection only include the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (George V issue) and a number of sports medals.  His Second World War medals did not accompany those obtained by the author, so his entitlement to those medals is not known.  Further research will be required to obtain this information and perhaps make up a group of medals to include those which he earned.[1]

            Another area that caused some difficulties with this project was his name.  On some documents his name is shown as Gold-Spilsbury and on others it is shown simply as Spilsbury.  Needless to say this made computer searches more difficult and more tedious.  It was necessary to search both surnames with combinations of given names and initials.  Undoubtedly some information was missed as a result.  Given these obstacles, every effort has been made to accurately portray the life and military service of Captain Gold-Spilsbury.[2]

NOTE: Revisions to the original version of this work resulted from the release of Royal Engineers Tracer card by findmypast.com in 2021.  

2.  EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY INFORMATION  

Family Information

Grandparents

            Robert John Gold-Spilsbury’s grandfather was Robert William Gold Spilsbury[3] (1810-1896) of Birmingham, Warwickshire.  He was a retired Boatswain in the Royal Navy.  His grandmother was Eliza Spilsbury, née Bacon (1836 - ?) of St. Albans Head, Dorset.

Parents and Siblings

            Robert John’s father, Robert John Bacon Gold-Spilsbury,[4] (1871-1953) was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire.  His mother Julia Gold-Spilsbury, née Hitchings (1871-1925) was from Parkstone, Dorset.  Robert and Julia were married in 1898.  Their children are listed below:[5]

Gladys Ray Gold-Spilsbury (1900 - ?) was born in Poole, Dorset in the 1^st quarter of 1900 and was baptized at Poole on the 10^th of February 1900.  

Robert John Gold-Spilsbury (1901-1981) was born in Parkstone,[6] Dorset on the 18^th of May 1901.  He was baptized at St. Peter’s Church in Parkstone on 4 January 1902.  

Howard Charles Gold-Spilsbury (1903-1973) was born in Poole, Dorset on 15anuary 1903.  He was baptized at St. Peter’s Church in Parkstone on 6 May 1905.[7]

Ann Rose Lillian Gold-Spilsbury (1904-1996) was born in West Derby, Lancashire on 11 February 1904.  

Agnes Mary Eliza Marion Gold-Spilsbury (1912-1997) was born in Parkstone, Dorset on 28 January 1912.  She was baptized at St. Peter’s Church in Parkstone on 27 of April 1912.  

            The household, as it existed in 1911, is shown in the census return presented in the table below.  It should be noted that in the census the family name is given only as Spilsbury.  The names in brackets have been added by the author to coincide with the information presented above.  

1911 Census of England and Wales

NOTES: The accuracy with which the data was entered on this form during the census is questionable.

(1)   The 1881 Census indicates that Robert John Bacon was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire.  This place of birth also is confirmed in a number of family trees.

(2)   Gladys and Howard were born in Poole, Dorset.  Parkstone is an area of Poole.  It appears that these two place names were used interchangeably on many documents.

(3)   Ann’s name appears as Annie in the census, obviously the diminutive name that was used by her family.

(4)   Lillian is probably the younger sister of Julia.

(5)   Eliza is Robert John Bacon Gold-Spilsbury’s mother.  His father had died in 1896 and it appears that his mother had moved in with her son’s family. 

             It will be seen as the reader progresses through this narrative, that the Gold-Spilsbury family was very much tied to the Parkstone/Poole area of Dorsetshire.  Many of the family members were born in the area or married spouses from the area.  Many resided there for most, if not all, of their lives with the parish church of St. Peter’s being the center of their religious life.

Figure 2.  St. Peter’s Church, Parkstone.
(Image courtesy of geograph and Dorset OPC)  

3.  PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

            No physical description of Robert John Gold-Spilsbury has yet been found.  Such a description would be found in his service papers along with a medical record during his time in military service.  In a 1937 group photograph of him he appears to be of average height and slender build.   As will be seen in the discussion of his military service, he was very physically fit and a well-coordinated individual as can be assumed by his prowess in a number of sports.  His fitness and coordination are testified to by his participation in unit football and hockey competitions and by his prowess with a rifle.  It will also be seen that in 1923 he attended (either as a student or as an instructor) the Army Physical Training School in Aldershot, Hampshire. 

4.  ENLISMENT AND TRAINING  

            The story of Robert John Gold-Spilsbury is the story of a soldier in the Royal Engineers who spent most of his service career between the Great War and the Second World War. It is the story of training, field exercises, inspection, sports, and the other peace-time endeavors which kept soldiers in the British Army busy between the two world wars.  He progressed steadily from the rank of Sapper to the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major and then joined the officer ranks for service during the Second World War.  His Royal Engineers Tracer Card indicates that he originally served in the Royal Artillery (Regimental Number 155025) and that he posted to the Army Reserve on 29 April 1919.  This would seem to indicate that he may have served in the Great War of 1914-1918; however, no Medal Index Card could be located for him to verify this.

            Robert John Gold-Spilsbury enlisted as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers on 9 June 1920.[9]  He enlisted for a period of engagement of 6 years with the Colours and 6 years in the Army Reserve.  His trade in the Corps of Royal Engineers is listed as “Fitter” on his trace card.[10]

Chatham (1920-1921)

            On 10 June 1920 Gold-Spilsbury was immediately posted to “E” Company of the Royal Engineers Training Battalion at the School of Military Engineering in Chatham, Kent. There he received his basic training as a soldier and his introduction to the world of military engineering. Spilsbury was a fit soldier and a good athlete.   While at Chatham he played on his platoon's football team in 1920. His team won the Inter-Platoon Football Cup that year, for which he was awarded the Royal Engineers Training Battalion Silver Medal along with the other members of his platoon who played on the team.  The reverse of the medal, as shown in Figure 4 below, is:  

WINNERS
INTER-PLATOON
FOOTBALL CUP
R. SPILSBURY.
CHATHAM, 1920  

            The trademark on the reverse if the medal is W.J.D. for William James Dingley.

Royal Engineers Training Battalion Inter-Platoon Football Cup, Chatham 1920 Awarded to R. Spilsbury (Sterling Silver, Proof-marked).
(Photographs from the author’s collection)  

            Gold-Spilsbury transferred to “D” Company of the 1^st Reserve Battalion, Royal Engineers at Chatham on 23 June 1920 and then to “G” Company of the Depot Battalion on 14 February 1921.[11]  His early reassignment from the Training Battalion may be attributed to his prior service with the Royal Artillery.  This prior service may have shortened his need for recruit training after joining the Royal Engineers.

5.  ASSIGNMENTS AND CAMPAIGN SERVICE

Egypt (1921-1923)

            Following the completion of his training, Spilsbury was assigned to the 42^nd Field Company, Royal Engineers then serving in a camp at Moascar, near Ismailia, Egypt on the Suez Canal, approximately 72 miles northeast of Cairo.  He embarked for Egypt on 22 March 1921 and on 9 April 1921 he was temporarily posted to the 20^th Army Troops Company in Palestine.[12]  At that time the British Army garrison in Palestine consisted of the following units:

·         The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons).

·         13th Pack Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

·         2nd Battalion, Prince of Wales' Volunteers (South Lancashire).

·         20th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers.

·         4th Armoured Car Company.

            These units had arrived during 1920 and 1921 and were there to “enforce” the British Mandate in Palestine resulting from the dictates of the Legion of Nations.  Gold-Spilsbury’s  temporary assignment in Palestine lasted until 6 July 1922 when he finally reported into the 42^nd Field Company at Moascar.[13]   

            In 1922[14] Spilsbury shot for the Company's rifle team in the Corps Shield Rifle Match Abroad sponsored by The Army Rifle Association. In this match the Royal Engineers field squadron and field company teams competed against teams from the Royal Corps of Signals, the Royal Army Service Corps, the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and the Corps of Military Police stationed in overseas areas. The match courses consisted of 200 yards snap shooting in the open, 300 yards deliberate firing, and 300 yards rapid firing. The Challenge Shield, silver medals, and silver spoons were awarded to the winners; bronze medals and bronze spoons were awarded to the second place team. The 42nd Field Company won second prize in the Corps Match in 1922 for which Spilsbury was awarded the bronze medal and spoon.[15]  The medal, shown below in Figures 5 and 6 measures 1½ inches in diameter and approximately is approximately one tenth of an inch in thickness.  The medals were not named to the individual team members, but “42^nd Field Company” and “Royal Engineers” is engraved on the reverse of the medal.

Second Prize Medal in the Army Rifle Association 1922 Corps Match Awarded to Members of the 42^nd Field Company, Royal Engineers (Medal is un-named).
(Photographs from the author’s collection)  

            It was back to football again for Spilsbury in 1922. He played for his company in the Suez Canal-Area Football League during the 1922-23 season when the company won "Runners-Up" in that competition.  Lance Corporal Spilsbury was awarded a bronze medal for participation in the competition.  The medal is not individually named to Spilsbury.

Egyptian Command Group Bronze Medal , Runners-Up-Canal Area Football League 1922-23, 42^nd Field-Coy R.E., CPL-Spilsbury (Medal is un-named).
(Photographs from the author’s collection)  

.           In 1923 he played in the Cairo Y.M.C.A. Six-A-Side Football League and won a silver medal when his team took second place.  Six-A-Side football is played by two teams of six players, not the usual eleven players. The playing area is surrounded by a wall, not lines, and the game does not stop for throw-ins, corners, or goal kicks.

Cairo Y.M.C.A. Six-A-Side 1923 Runners Up Medal Awarded to L/CPL R. Spilsbury.
(Photographs from the author’s collection)

            The  medal is 1.2 inches thick, approximately one twentieth of an inch in thickness and the reverse of the medal is named as follows:

Cairo
Y.M.C.A
six-a-side
1923
runners up
l/cpl
r.spilsbury

Aldershot (1923-1925)

            Lance Corporal Spilsbury returned home on 1 September 1923 aboard S.S. Devanha, a Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company Ltd. ship.  The ship had sailed from Yokohama, Japan bound for Liverpool, stopping on the way in Egypt to pick up passengers.  Spilsbury’s proposed destination was the Army Physical Training School in Aldershot, Hampshire.  At this point it is not known whether he had been posted to the school as a student or as a trainer.  He is believed to have remained there for about two years before returning to the 42^nd Field Company in Egypt.  Since he was at the Army Physical Training School for two years and since is participation in various sports surely indicates that he was in top physical condition, it is safe to assume that he was posted to the school as a trainer.

Figure 11.  Postcard of the P. and O. Passenger and Cargo Ship S.S. Devanha.
(Image courtesy of The Thrifty Traveler web site)  

The Army Rifle Association Corps Shield 1925 Silver Medal Awarded to 42^nd Field Company R.E., Corpl. R. Spilsbury (Stirling Silver, proof-marked).
(Photographs from the author’s collection)

Egypt (1925-1926)

            On the 17^th of March 1925 Spilsbury was promoted to Corporal. In that same year he shot for the 42nd Field Company in the Army Rifle Association "Corps Shield 1925" rifle match. The company took first place that year and Spilsbury received the silver medal for his participation on the winning team.  The medal is named to him on the reverse as follows:

42^nd FIELD COMPANY R.E.
CORPL.
R.SPILSBURY

Porton (1926-1928)

            In May 1921 the Experimental Company at the Royal Engineers Experimental Station (later Chemical Defence Experimental Station), Porton Down in Wiltshire, was redesignated as 58th (Porton) Company, R.E.  It carried out a wide range of duties relating to experiments in offensive and defensive chemical warfare, and until 1922 was also responsible for administering 'The Chemical Roster', a group of civilian technicians, many of whom were former members of the Special Brigade, R.E., (Chemical Warfare companies) during World War I. The officer commanding from 1919 to 1924 was Lieutenant-Colonel Albert Edmund Kent, R.E.,[16] a former member of the Special Brigade.

            Lance Corporal Spilsbury was posted to the 58^th (Porton) Company on 1 January 1926.  It is not known what experience or educational background he had to get him assigned to a chemical warfare unit.  His trade as a Fitter might have had something to do with it, as the company probably had many items of equipment that required pipes and hoses needing both assembly and repair. At any rate, Gold-Spilsbury spent two years and one month with this unit before being posted to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh (1928-1930)

            On 2 January 1928 Spilsbury was promoted to Lance Sergeant. During that year he played yet another sport, and was awarded the Scottish Command Bronze Medal for second place in the Inter-Unit Hockey competition.  At this time he was serving as an advisor and instructor to a Territorial Army unit in Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh (Fortress) Royal Engineers.  The City of Edinburgh (Fortress) Royal Engineers was a volunteer unit of the British Army under various titles from 1886 until 1999. Its main role was defence of the Firth of Forth.  The Firth of Forth was a significant tactical waterway, an estuary of several Scottish rivers including the River Forth. It meets the North Sea with Fife on the north coast and Lothian on the south.

Scottish Command Bronze Medal Inter Unit Hockey 1928 Runners Up.
(Photographs from the author’s collection)

            At the time that Spilsbury was posted to this unit, the City of Edinburgh Fortress Engineers consisted of the No 1 (Works) Company, No 2 (Lights) Company and No 3 (Lights) Company.  The unit was employed as Coast Defence Troops in 52nd (Lowland) Divisional Area.           

Figure 16.  Map of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.
(Map courtesy of Wikipedia)

            On 25 October 1930 Spilsbury was promoted to Sergeant.  In the October 1932 issue of The Sapper his name appears on the Regimental Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers Seniority List as Gold-Spilsbury.  This is the first time that his name appears in any hyphenated form in any military document.  It appears that he had had his name legally changed.  Gold may have been a family name of one of his ancestors, which he and his father and grandfather were determined to use.  However, when he first enlisted in the Army he appears to have used only the surname Spilsbury.

 Catterick (1930-1932)

            In February of 1932 Spilsbury was posted to Catterick Camp in North Yorkshire. This camp was built in 1924 to house most of the 5^th Division and the new Royal Corps Signals Depot and Training Center.  The camp was located west of the North Yorkshire moors, 29 mile north northwest of Harrogate and 2 miles south southeast of Richmond.  Sergeant Spilsbury was assigned to the 55^th Field Company, Royal Engineers which was, at that time, part of the Divisional Troops of the 5^th Division. The organization and locations of the 5th Division and its subordinate units at that time are as shown below:

Division Headquarters: Catterick Camp

13^th Infantry Brigade - Catterick Camp

2^nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment - Catterick Camp

1^st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment - Catterick Camp

1^st Battalion Essex Regiment - Catterick Camp

14^th Infantry Brigade - Catterick Camp

2^nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers - Catterick Camp

2^nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment - Catterick Camp

15^th Infantry Brigade - York

2^nd Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers - York

2^nd Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry - Lichfield

2^nd Battalion Manchester Regiment - Strensall  

Divisional Troops

16^th/5^th Lancers - York

55^th Field Company R.E.

5^th Division Signals (Scarborough)

19^th (Supply) Company RASC

34^th (Ammunition) Company RASC

51^st (Baggage) Company RASC

Figure 17.  Catterick Camp Royal Corps of Signals Area.
(Postcard image courtesy of Hip Postcard)  

            Spilsbury actually joined the 55^th Field Company at Catterick in March of 1932. Shortly after joining he was sent to Chatham to attend the Field and Fortress Course which he completed successfully in July. Immediately upon his return to Catterick his company attended the annual musketry camp at Bellerby Ranges located approximately 5 miles southwest of Catterick Camp. The training areas at Bellerby Ranges and Moors were very wet that summer due to extremely heavy rains.  These weather conditions made marksmanship difficult during the entire period of training.

            In August of 1932 the 55^th Field Company took part in Brigade exercises. On the 13th of the month the company was inspected by Major General Harry Lionel Pritchard, CB, CMG, DSO, the Inspector General, Royal Engineers.  In October the company was in York, Leeds and at Moor Moncton where they took part in training at the annual bridging camp. During the winter of 1932-32 the company's winter works included the construction of new barrack rooms for the Royal Army Service Corps bakery personnel at Catterick Camp. 

            In the October 1932 issue of The Sapper he also is shown as being in possession of a First Class Certificate of Education.  It is not known when he received this Certificate or if he had previously received the Third Class and Second Class Certificates prior to this.

            The years 1933 and 1934 were busy ones for the 55^th Field Company.  The following is a list of activities undertaken by the company during these years and is typical of the work and training schedule of Royal Engineers field companies during this period:[17]

March and April 1933

• Construction of a new gas chamber for training at Catterick Camp
• Construction of a bus shelter on the Richmond Road
• Construction of a new road at Catterick Camp
• Snow removal work at Catterick Camp

May 1933

• Construction of a new barrack at the Royal Army Service Corps depot
• Preparation for spring training

June 1933

• Spring drill programme (physical fitness).  Sergeant Spilsbury must certainly have taken an active part in this programme
• Preparation for the move to Bellerby Camp for annual musketry training
• Instruction for Territorial Army personnel during the T.A. annual training camps
• Assistance to the Northern Command Tattoo at York

February 1934

• Construction of an addition to the new sports pavilion for the garrison at Catterick
• Construction of a motorcycle garage in the unit lines

May 1934

• Winter works projects completed
• Preparation for spring training
• Musketry course at Bellerby Moors

            In June of 1934 the company proceeded to Wyke Regis, located on the English Channel near Weymouth in Dorset, where it underwent field works and heavy bridging training. This is the first time the unit went to Wyke Regis for any type of training.  At the completion of the programme the 55^th Field Company returned to Catterick Camp in time for Brigade and Division exercises in August and September.

Chelmsford (1934-1936)

            On 3 December 1934 Sergeant Gould-Spilsbury was posted to the 108^th (Essex) Electrical and Mechanical Company, R.E., Special Reserve as a Platoon Sergeant Instructor at Chelmsford, in Essex, to the northeast of London.  Again, his trade as a Fitter made him qualified for assignment to this unit just as it did for the 58^th (Porton) Company.

Canterbury (1936-1938)

            On 27 February 1936 Sergeant Gold-Spilsbury was appointed a Temporary Warrant Officer Class II and was posted as the Temporary Company Sergeant Major of the 59^th Field Company at Canterbury, in Kent. The 59th Field Company was part of the Divisional Troops, 4^th Division, Eastern Command. The organization and location of the 4^th Division and its subordinate units is as shown below:

Division Headquarters: Colchester

Commander - Major General J.K. Dick-Cunnyngham, CB, CMG, DSO

10^th Infantry Brigade - Shorncliffe

2^nd Battalion East Surrey Regiment

1^st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

1^st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment

2^nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles (Gravesend)

11^th Infantry Brigade - Colchester

2^nd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry

2^nd Battalion Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment

1^st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

2^nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment

12^th Infantry Brigade - Dover

1^st Battalion Royal Scots

2^nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment

2^nd Battalion Dorset Regiment

2^nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

Royal Artillery

Royal Engineers
Commander, Royal Engineers - Lt. Col. Eric Herbert Clarke, MC, R.E.[18] (Colchester)

7^th Field Company (Colchester)

9^th Field Company (Shorncliffe)

59^th Field Company (Canterbury)

Divisional Troops

5^th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (Colchester)

4^th Division Signal Company (Canterbury)

21^st Ammunition Company RASC (Colchester)

22^nd Baggage Company RASC (Shorncliffe)

46^th Supply Company RASC (Shorncliffe)

            On 20 July 1936 Gold-Spilsbury was promoted to the substantive rank of Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant Major) while with the 59^th Field Company. 

Figure  18.  59^th Field Company Rifle Team, 1937.
(Photograph courtesy of the Army Rifle Association)    

Standing (left to right)
 Spr H. Scholefield      C.S.M. R. Gold-Spilsbury      Spr. T. Ogilivie       Cpl. H. Rance

Seated (left to right)
Lce. Cpl. R. Sings  Spr. A. May  Major E.N. Clifton  Dvr. J. Coleman  Lce. Cpl. P. Tutton

            In 1937 the 59th Field Company won the Corps Shield (At Home) as part of the Army Rifle Association competition. The company commander, Major Edward Norton Clifton, R.E.[19] and Company Sergeant Major Gold-Spilsbury accompanied the team to the competition. 

            He served with the 59^th Field Company until 13 February 1938 when he returned to the 108^th (Essex) Electrical and Mechanical Company, presumably as the company sergeant major.[20]  In 1938 Company Sergeant Major Gold-Spilsbury was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GVR) upon completion of 18 years of service with the Colours. 

Chelmsford and Chatham (1938-1939)

            CSM Gold-Spilsbury remained with the 108^th E&M Company, R.E. (S.R.) for just under two years, when on 29 September 1939 he was posted to No. 4 Training Battalion, R.E., presumably at Chatham, and was promoted to the rank of War Substantive Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer Class 1) and was appointed a Regimental Sergeant Major.  

Commissioned Service (1940-1945)

            When the Second World War broke out, the British Army was in need of experienced and competent individuals to manage certain technical aspects of the war effort. Senior Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers were offered commissions to fill these requirements. On 11 October 1940 Warrant Officer Class 1 Gold-Spilsbury was discharged from the ranks and on the following day he was given a Regular Army Reserve Commission, as a Lieutenant, Royal Engineers.  His Army Number as an officer was 152386.  On 26 November 1941 he was appointed a Temporary Captain.  He apparently was posted to the Army Reserve and then rejoined for active service on 12 June 1943.[21]  He served in this rank until at least 1945.           

 6.  PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

a.  Promotions:  Gold-Spilsbury received the following promotions during his time in service:

NOTE: He may have been promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant between 1930 and 1936.

b.                  Appointments:  Gold-Spilsbury received the following appointments during his time in service:

7. 
   MILITARY TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

a.  Military Training: Gold-Spilsbury received the following military training during his time in service:

 b.                  Qualifications:  Gold-Spilsbury earned the following qualifications during his time in service.

 8.  MEDALS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS  

            Gold-Spilsbury received the following medals, awards and decorations during his time in service:

Figure 19.  The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal of Captain Robert John Gold-Spilsbury, Royal Engineers.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)  

NOTE: If he did serve in the Royal Artillery during the last year of the Great War, he may have been entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

9.  ADDITIONAL FAMILY INFORMATION  

The Parents of Robert John Gold-Spilsbury

            Robert John Bacon Gold-Spilsbury was a Mariner by trade and he served as a Merchant Seaman during the Great War of 1914-1918.  The Electoral Record for the Spring of 1919 shows that following the war he was an officer aboard S.S. Chatham.  He died in Poole, Dorset in June of 1953.

            Julia Gold-Spilsbury (née Hitchings) was born in Parkstone, Dorset in 1871 and she married Robert John Bacon Gold-Spilsbury in 1898.  Her date and place of death are unknown.

Children

            No information was found regarding a marriage of Robert John Gold-Spilsbury.  However, birth records in the United Kingdom indicate that one Robert J. Spilsbury was born in Chelmsford in the first quarter of 1935.  The child’s mother’s maiden name was Donaldson.  Sergeant Gold-Spilsbury was serving in Chelmsford in January of 1935.  The lad may be Gold-Spilsbury’s son, born to his wife while they were living in Chelmsford, or this may just be a coincidence.     

The Gold-Spilsbury Siblings

            Howard Charles Gold-Spilsbury was born in Poole, Dorset on 15 January 1903.  He would not have been old enough to see service in the Great War and there is no indication that he served in the Naval or Military forces during his lifetime.  He was employed by the London and Southwestern Railroad in Parkstone on 15 December 1916 at the age of 13.  He was only 4 feet 9 inches tall when he was hired.  He resigned from this employment on 8 August 1918 to be an apprenticed engineer.  No additional information regarding his employment or career has been uncovered.  He died in Durham in December of 1973.

            Gladys Ray Gold-Spilsbury married Alfred John Ware (1898 - 1974) in St. Peter’s Church, Parkstone, Dorset on 18 May 1919.  Gladys was the first of the Gold-Spilsbury siblings to leave home.  Her date of death is unknown.  Her husband, 18929 Private Alfred John Ware, had enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment on 6 June 1916 at the age of 18.[22]  He served in France and Flanders and was discharged on 29 November 1918 due to illness.[23]  His Silver War Badge number is B47787.  Ware was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the Great War.[24]  He worked as a Civil Engineer following the war.  Ware died in Parkstone, Poole on 4 February 1974. 

            Anne Rose Lillian Gold Spilsbury married Frans Joseph Anton Simonis[25] (1904-1991) at Poole, Dorset in 1935.  Simonis died on 7 of August 1991 in Bournemouth.  Anne died in Bournemouth, Dorset in December of 1996.

            Agnes Mary Eliza Gold-Spilsbury was married in Middlesex in June of 1952.  She died in Poole, Dorset in February of 1997.

10.  RELEASE FROM SERVICE  

            Captain Gold-Spilsbury may have relinquished his commission shortly after the end of the Second World War.  His total service has been approximated as shown in the tables below:

 11.  POST SERVICE LIFE  

            Robert John Gold-Spilsbury died in Poole, Dorset on 28 June 1981.  His residence at the time of his death was 123 Rosemary Road, Parkstone, Poole.  His will was probated in Winchester on 24 August 1981.  No heir is listed in the 1981 Probate Calendar.  His effects totaled £25,627 or about $146,200 US in 2022 currency.  Even in death there was some confusion about his name.  He is listed on page 3338 in the 1981 probate calendar as:  “GOLD-SPILSBURY, Robert John see Spilsbury, Robert John.  On page 8143 he is listed as SPILSBURY, Robert John GOLD-.”           

Figure 20.  123 Rosemary Road, Poole, Dorset.
(Image courtesy of Google Earth)

ADDENDUM NO. 1
18929 Private Alfred John Ware, Dorsetshire Regiment,
Brother-in-Law of Robert John Gold-Spilsbury  

18929 Private Alfred John Ware enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment on 6 June 1916 at the age of 18.  He served in France and Flanders and was discharged on 29 November 1918 due to illness.  His Silver War Badge number is B47787.  Ware was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the Great War.  

Figure 21.  Medal Index Card.
(Image courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Figure 22.  British War Medal and Victory Medal Roll.
(Image courtesy of Ancesty.com)

Figure 23.  Silver War Badge Roll.
(Image courtesy of Ancestry.com)

ADDENDUM NO. 2  

            1859961 Sergeant Robert John Gold-Spilsbury was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal GVIR) with bar [REGULAR ARMY] by authority of Army Order 76 of 1937.  The award is listed on medal roll WO 102/28.

As with most Armed Forces Serving Personnel during the conflict of World War Two, Gold-Spilsbury would have been entitled to the War Medal 1939-1945. This medal was awarded to all full time service personnel who had completed 28 days service between 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. 

Figure 24.  War Medal 1939-1945

With the information in Gold-Spilsbury’s record, it is likely that he also was awarded the 1939-45 Star for operational Service in the Second World War between 3rd September 1939, and 2nd September 1945.

REFERENCES  

Army Lists  

1. Monthly Army List, October 1935, p. 23 and 32.
2. Monthly Army List April 1940.
3. Quarterly Army List, First Quarter 1944.
4. Army List, 1946, p. 628p.

Books  

1. AA Motorists Atlas of Great Britain, 6th edition, October 1984, map reference (38 SE 5056).

2. Letts Roadbook of Britain, 2nd edition, 1977, map references (26 SE 29), (26 SE 19), (16 TL 70), (8 SY 67), and (11 TR 15).

Census  

 1911 Census of England and Wales.  

Documents  

1. Marriage Certificate, St. Peter’s Church, Parkstone, Dorset, 7 June 1919 (sister Gladys).

2.      UK, Railway Employment Records, 1833-1956 for Howard Charles Spilsbury London and South Western, 1895-1927 Wages Staff.

3. Royal Engineers Tracer Cards.

Family Trees  

1. Andy Barnett Family Tree:

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/156850018/person/382125147315/facts  

2. csberch Family Tree.

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/25698196/person/200126300966/facts?_phsrc=iWN1796&_phstart=successSource  

Internet Web Sites  

1. Ancestry.com

https://www.ancestry.com/  

2. British World War 1 Medal Index Cards.

https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1262/  

3. Dorset OPC

https://www.opcdorset.org/ParkstoneFiles/Parkstone.htm  

4. geograph

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/466050  

5. Google Earth Pro.

6. London Gazette

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/  

London Gazettes  

Supplement to the London Gazette, 14 October 1940, p. 5999.  

Medals and Medal Rolls  

1. Naming on Spilsbury medals.
2. Medal Index Card of Robert John Spilsbury, born 1871, Parkstone, Dorset.

3.      UK, Silver War Badge Records, 1914-1920 for Alfred John Ware.

4.      UK, WWI Service Medal and Awards Roll, 1914-1920 for Alfred John Ware, British War Medal and Victory Medal, Dorsetshire Regiment.

5. Medal Index Card, Alfred John Ware, Dorsetshire Regiment.

Periodicals  

1. The Sapper, November 1928.
2. The Sapper, June 1929, p. 315.
3. The Sapper, December 1930, p. 143.
4. The Sapper, March 1932, p. 207.
5. The Sapper, April 1932, p. 252.
6. The Sapper, July 1932, p. 319.
7. The Sapper, October 1932, pp. 67 and 75.
8. The Sapper, March 1933, p. 214.
9. The Sapper, May 1933, p. 370.
10. The Sapper, June 1933, p. 303.
11. The Sapper, February 1934, p. 183.
12. The Sapper, May 1934, pp. 266 and 283.
13. The Sapper, June 1934, p. 293.
14. The Sapper, August 1934, p. 352.
15. The Sapper, September 1934, p. 378.
16. The Sapper, December 1934, p. 461.
17. The Sapper, January 1935, p. 488.
18. The Sapper, May 1936, p. 268.
19. Army Rifle Association Rules and Programme, 1938, p. 265.

Registers

1. Dorset, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906, Gladys Ray Gold-Spilsbury and Howard Charles Gold-Spilsbury.
2. Dorset, England Electoral Register, 1839-1922.

3.      Dorset, England, Electoral Registers, 1839-1922 for Robert John Spilsbury, 1919.

4.      Dorset, England, Electoral Registers, 1839-1922 for Robert John Spilsbury, 1921.

5. The Royal Engineers List, 1943.
6. Probate Calendar, 1981, p. 3338: Gold-Spilsbury.
7. Probate Calendar, 1981, p. 8143: Spilsbury.

Ship Passenger Lists  

Passenger List, S.S. Devanha, Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, Yokohama to London, 1 Sept 1923.

ENDNOTES