Regiment: Royal Field Artillery.
Died: 09 July 1916 aged 22 in France. Killed in action flying.
Battle: Battle of the Somme. Cemetery: London Cemetery Neuville Vitasse I C 1
Son of W. H. Speer, Mus. Doc, Powyscourt, Balcombe, Sussex, b. 1894.
Upper V—Matriculation Class. School Prefect. XL Football.
Trinity College, Cambridge.
Great War, Private Public Schools' Batt. 1914; Lieutenant R.F.A. and R.F.C.
'On the outbreak of war he joined the Public School Brigade, and subsequently received promotion. In 1915 he trained for the R.F.C, becoming attached in January of this year. He was on active service from March until July 9th, when he met his death in combat in the air over the enemy lines. He was attacked single-handed by six or seven Fokker machines; his machine was shot down and he and his observer burnt. His commanding officer reported that: "he was a gallant soldier, a fine flier, and a most fearless fighter."' (Malvernian, Nov 1916).