Gracehill Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday

George Albert Payne Spencer was born in Sutton-in Ashfield, England on 25th May 1926.

Aged 12, he obtained a Scholarship to the Training Ship Mercury based in Southampton under the command of CB Fry, the famous cricketer, scholar and athlete. He boarded here for four years and was appointed Head Boy his final year.

Aged 16, he enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1942 and joined the ships company of HMS Nelson in 1943 with the rank of ‘Boy Leading Seaman’. Shortly thereafter, the ship was part of Force H, supporting the Allied invasion of Sicily.

He subsequently witnessed the handover of the Italian fleet and the acceptance of the ‘Instrument of Surrender of Italy’ by General Dwight D. Eisenhower on 29th September 1943, aboard HMS Nelson in Malta's Grand Harbour.

Returning to the English Channel, HMS Nelson played a significant role in the D-Day landings in June 1944, using its 16-inch guns, which were the largest ever mounted on a British ship at the time, to engage targets inland to support the Allied invasion force.

George was positioned on one of the highest observation points on the ship to look out for enemy aircraft. He recalls, ‘I had the best view ever, I think, of the landings in Normandy. I had this huge pair of binoculars which were Japanese, lenses like plates. I found it very difficult not to keep looking to see what was going on instead of covering my position of checking aircraft.’

When returning to Portsmouth some days later to be refuelled, the ship was hit by a mine leading to the necessity of extensive repairs. As a result, George then joined HMS Montclare sailing in convoy via the Suez Canal, to Australia before going on to the Admiralty Islands where he celebrated VJ day.

On returning to UK, he underwent officer training and was commissioned sub-lieutenant.

In 1947 George was serving in the Mediterranean where he was involved in Jewish illegal immigrant patrols. During this time, he suffered an ankle injury and was flown back to the UK where he underwent an experimental bone graft. On returning to active duty, he eventually joined HMS Sea Eagle in Londonderry, Northern Ireland where he also met his future wife, Jane Harris, whom he married on the 24th July 1954 while stationed in Malta.

George served in the Royal Navy for almost two further decades, with postings including Australia, Malta, Greenwich, Cornwall and the Clyde before retiring and returning to Northern Ireland in 1972, when the family moved to Gracehill. He completed his working life as a hospital manager in the Royal Victoria, Belfast.

Given George’s fascinating life and military service the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office (NIVCO) very kindly offered to organise an event to mark his 100th birthday. Happily, this fell on Monday 25th May – a Bank holiday!

NIVCO is dedicated to supporting veterans across Northern Ireland by acting as a crucial link between veterans and the various support services available to them and so they were keen to highlight this good news story.

To mark the occasion George officially unveiled a plaque opening a new village pathway known as ‘Castle Walk’ linking the Moravian Settlement of Gracehill with the nearby Galgorm Castle Estate.

The commissioner’s office organised a piper and Royal Naval officers, who along with dignitaries including the Deputy First Minister, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Mayor & Mayoress, as well as family and friends ensured George had a memorable day.

And Georges advice for a long and happy life? ‘Enjoy your life but pick your friends wisely.’

Sr Sally Ann Johnston

Gracehill