Police Constable Albert Francis Spicer.

 

Coronation (Police) Medal 1902.

P.C. A. Spicer, 1^st Division (Woolwich), Metropolitan Police.

Albert Francis Spicer was born in Pimperne, near Blandford in Dorset, on 28th January 1873. He appears on the 1881 Census as the youngest of five children born to Seth Spicer, a 53-year-old farmer, and his wife Jane, who were residing at Hunter’s Lodge on the Galhampton Road, Castle Cary.

Albert Francis Spicer joined the Metropolitan Police on 12th August 1895 and was issued with warrant number 80642 and posted to 1st Division (Woolwich Dockyard) as a police constable. His Metropolitan Police Papers include a physical description, which records that Albert was almost 6 feet tall, weighed 12 stone and 12 lbs and had a chest measurement of 36”. He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. Prior to joining the police, he had been living at 27 South Street, Dorchester, and employed as an upholsterer’s assistant by Hannah & Holland, a firm of cabinet makers and upholsterers with premises at 8 Cornhill, Dorchester.

 

On 14th October 1899, Albert, now aged 26, married Annie Isobel Banks at St James’ Church in Plumstead. Their first child, Albert George Samways Spicer was born on 9th July 1900 and baptised two months later on 9th September. The 1901 Census records Albert and Annie, together with their 8 month old son, living at 193 Maxey Street, Plumstead, just south of the Woolwich Arsenal.

While still serving on the force, Albert Spicer joined the Freemasons and was initiated into the Henley Lodge on 5th November 1901. He resigned from the police on 11th August 1902, having served all of his seven years with 1st Division. Albert now took over the running of the Great Western Hotel in Colebrook Street, Winchester. He joined the William of Wykeham Lodge in Winchester on 10th November 1903.

 

Three years later, on 26th May 1906, personal tragedy struck the Spicer family when Catherine Banks Spicer, Albert and Annie’s only daughter, died at the age of 3 years and 8 months although whether this was due to accident or illness is not known. A second son, Francis Joseph Spicer was born on 25th January 1908. The 1911 Census mentions the fact that Albert and Annie's marriage had produced three children but only two were still living.

 

Albert Francis Spicer died at the age of 60 on 18th September 1933. His effects were valued at £1353 10s. 8d. and were left to his wife, Annie. His death was reported in the Western Gazette on 22nd September 1933 (see below). Six years later, the 1939 Register records the fact that Albert's wife still owned the Great Western Hotel and her son, Albert George, was now the manager.