Ralph Ernest Spencer

France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939 – 45 War Medal

Royal Winnipeg Rifles (RWR)

Royal Canadian Infantry Corps

WW II

Ralph was born 10 December 1920 and spent his whole life on the farm at Dunston in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Stanley until joining the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (RWR) in 1940. Like his siblings, he attended Lloyd George School in the RM of Thompson, a short distance from the family farm. A portion of the Spencer homestead is rich in pre-historic marine fossils and is currently a dig site for the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC). His parents, homesteaders from Ontario were Earnest and Amanda (McDowell) Spencer. Ralph’s father Earnest had been a Sergeant when he served with the Lisgar Rifles of Kemptville, Ontario. Earnest and Amanda Spencer had 10 children, Mildred 1898-1985, Baden 1900-1963 (served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles WW I), Sterling 1901-1971 (served with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps WW II), Cora 1903-1991, Myrtle 1912-1982 (served with the Royal Canadian Air Force WW II rank Sergeant), Orval 1914-1992, Velma 1915-1978, Helen Irene 1918-1990, Ralph 1920-1944, and Mervin 1924-1998.

Ralph met Hazel Ellen Martindale while working at Snowflake and they were married on 05 February 1940. Hazel was born 08 May 1922 at Snowflake, Manitoba. Ralph and Hazel lived in Earnest and Amanda’s first homestead house and the arrival of Karen Arlette, their first born, delighted Ralph. Ralph enlisted with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in June of 1940, 6 months after getting married and prior to his departure for the UK, a second child was on the way. A son, Bruce Spencer was born in 1942 while Ralph was in England.

Ralph did his training at Shilo, Manitoba and Debert, Nova Scotia and was sent overseas in August of 1941. He corresponded regularly with his mother and younger siblings Cora and Mervin. He had received a photo of Hazel and the children, from Cora, and was very proud of his family. He continue his training in England prior to “D” Day.

The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were in the first wave that went ashore at Juno Beach and Corporal Spencer died of wounds inflicted during the invasion landings.

Corporal Ralph Ernest Spencer died Tuesday, 06 June 1944 and is buried at Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, France and his grave number is 11.F.3. He is listed in the World War II Book of Remembrance in Ottawa, page 449. Lake Spencer, north of Lac Brochet, Manitoba, is named after him.

Information from family, Royal Winnipeg Rifle History and Library and Archives Canada.