Robert Spall VC (5 March 1890 – 13 August 1918), was born in Ealing, England. At the age of two, he moved with his parents to Montreal, Canada and later lived in Winnipeg, Canada where he worked as a customs broker. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in July 1915 and was later posted to Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in which he became a sergeant.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 13 August 1918 near Parvillers, France.
An extract from the London Gazette dated 26 October 1918 states:
‘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.’
Sergeant Spall's final resting place was lost. 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, Alberta, Canada.