Rank: Major Regiment: 203rd Field Coy., Royal Engineers - M.C. Died: 05/09/1917 Age: 25y Parish: Budleigh Salterton Local Memorials: Budleigh Salterton War Memorial, St Peter's Church War Memorial, Budleigh Salterton Roll of Honour Other Memorial: Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension [Google] PDF Download: SEMPLE Henry Spencer
Born 1893 in Budleigh Salterton eldest son of Dr Henry Frederick Semple and Charlotte Ellen (Spencer). He is living with his parents at Able Tree House in 1901 but by 1911 he is attending Clifton College in Bristol.
Serving in the Royal Engineers, 203rd Field Company, he won the Military Cross and was mentioned in dispatches. Wounded and returned home he refused the instructorship of the Military Academy, Woolwich, to return to France. A brilliant scholar and engineer, killed whilst leading his company.
A star of Budleigh Salterton’s pre-war cricket team.
A tablet in his honour in St Peter’s Church, Budleigh Salterton
“In every proud memory of
Henry Spencer Semple M.C.
Major Royal Engineers
Killed in action at Ronssoy (Peronne)
September 5th 1917 aged 23 years
Buried at Villers, Faucon
A Rivederci
His father was a well respected Doctor, serving the community well during the war and in peacetime.
His younger brother Egerton Hugh Semple also served in WW1 in the Royal Navy and was at the Battle of Jutland but survived the war – see under those that survived WW1.
Henry Spencer Semple is remembered on the War Memorial and on the plaque in St Peter’s Church as well as the family plaque.
Henry Semple, Capt. R.E. is listed under 'Army (Active Service)' in the Budleigh Salterton Roll of Honour.
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