Spence, Alfred John

No

www.ww2roll.gov.au

Died from Heart failure

The Longreach Leader Friday 14 May 1954
OBITUARY MR. JOHN SPENCE –
The son of one of the oldest families in the West died suddenly on Tuesday morning of what is thought to have been a heart attack. He was Alfred John Spence, part-owner and manager of Maroomba Station, third son of Mrs. E. M. Spence and the late Mr. R. J. Spence.

The late Mr. Spence was aged 29 and has spent all his life (with the exception of the time he spent with the R.A.A.F. during the war) in the West. His grandfather, Thomas Spence, pioneered Rosedale Station in the late 80’s. His father, Mr. R. J. Spence, was a keen sportsman and a supporter of all sporting bodies, during his lifetime. The service was conducted by Rev. Selwyn Cowen, of the Church of England, Barcaldine. Many of the members of the R.S.L. were present at the service and funeral and the President of the Muttaburra Sub-Branch, R.S.L. (Mr. Ken Wedgwood) lead the R.S.L. funeral address. He also referred to the fine record of the deceased as a gunner for the R.A.A.F. when he was present in the bombing raids by Halifax bombers over Germany and missions over the Atlantic Ocean in Sunderlands. Mr. Wedgwood ended with the memorable words.: “We will remember them.” He is survived by his wife and three daughters, his mother, two sisters, Mrs. W. Hutchinson, Mrs. R. Shadforth, and his brother, Mr. R. R. Spence.

[Source: OBITUARY. (1954, May 14). The Longreach Leader (Qld. : 1923 – 1954), p. 26. Retrieved September 22, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124405098]