Baden Herbert Spencer

190th Overseas Battalion

Royal Winnipeg Rifles (Little Black Devils)

WW I

06 May 1900 – 03 April 1963

Baden Spencer was born on 06 May 1900, in Morden Manitoba. He was the second of ten children of Earnest and Amanda Minetta (McDowell) Spencer, homesteaders from Ontario. Baden attended Lloyd George School and after obtaining a grade five education, he quit school to work on the family farm with his father on the northeast quarter 32-3-6 of Stanley Municipality, now known as the “Spencer Mountain”.

On 06 February 1917, Baden enlisted in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (also known as The Little Black Devils) 190th Overseas Battalion and was sent overseas. He served three months in France before his mother informed the army that her son was underage and he was discharged and sent home. On 24 December 1923 Baden married Edith Brinkworth from Roche Percee Saskatchewan. They farmed south of Miami Manitoba where their children Lyle Alexander (1926) and Leona Yvonne (1932) where born.

After farming several years, Baden and the family left the farm and he started working in construction, ending up as foreman of the Bentonite Mine (then situated on his parent’s farm). In 1946 Baden was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis, but continued to work even though he had to use crutches or a cane. In the late 1950’s he was diagnosed as having cancer, he passed away on 03 April 1963. He had pre-arranged that his cornea would be donated at his death, and this wish was carried out. Baden, before his MS, was a hardworking man, full of fun, loved to dance, play cards and drink a beer.

Baden Herbert Spenser is buried at Hillside Cemetery, Morden, MB.