Robert Spall Birth - Mar. 5, 1890 Death - Aug. 13, 1918 Canadian WWI recipient of the Victoria Cross, the United Kingdom’s highest award for valor. Sergeant, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Eastern Ontario Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force; native of Brentford (some sources say Ealing), Middlesex, England. Spall won his V.C. in action near Parvillers, France, 12-13 August 1918. From his citation: “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. It was while holding up the enemy at this point that he was killed. Serjt. Spall deliberately 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." His original burial site was destroyed in later fighting. His V.C. medal is on display at the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Museum, Calgary, Alberta. Vimy Memorial Pas de Calais, France Plot - No known grave, name is on the memorial
