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The birth of Robert Spall
Robert Spall was born in Ealing, Essex, England March 5 1890. His parents were Carles and Annie Marry Spall. -
Moving to Canada
When Robert was 2 he moved with his family to Canada. First he lived in Montreal with family then he moved to Winnepeg to be a costom broker. -
Joining the military
In Winneg, Manitoba he enlisted in the Canadian expeditionary force in july 1915 90th Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forceduring world war 1. later was posted to Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in where he became a sergeant. -
Spall's award
Spall gave his life in order to extricate his platoon from a most difficult situation, and it was owing to his bravery that the platoon was saved. For sacrificeing himself he earned the victoria cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.He is commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Pas de Calais, France. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Museum of the Regiments in Calgary. -
Spall's sacrifice
His citation reads:
For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice when, during an enemy counter-attack, his platoon was isolated. Thereupon Serjt. Spall took a Lewis gun and, standing on the parapet, fired upon the advancing enemy, inflicting very severe casualties. He then came down the trench directing the men into a sap seventy-five yards from the enemy. Picking up another Lewis gun, this gallant N.C.O. again climbed the parapet, and by his fire held up the enemy. At this point he died.
