Fabian Sperry

‘As Territorials, they went fully kitted with Lee Enfield rifle, bandolier, uniform, two blankets and mess gear. They supplied their own horse, saddle, bridge and horse cover. They set out to ride from the drill hall in Fort Street, Cambridge, to the Hamilton Horse Bazaar, Ward Street, Hamilton which was their assembly point. Before leaving Cambridge, they stopped in the early morning beside the Jubilee Fountain near Cambridge Post Office to be farewelled by a handful of people, including Mayor George Dickinson.’

In November 1915 Sperry was wounded at Gallipoli, and admitted to The Beaufort. We have an autograph from Fabian Sperry which isn’t dated.
When he returned to the war he was transferred to the artillery and fought in France. Hand written notes on his Service record show that in 1917 he was again wounded and treated for severe shell-shock. The notes indicate that his condition was exacerbated by the physical and psychological injuries he sustained in 1915.

Service History Sheet – Classification of case 13.5.17

Injured by shell 1915 and has a scar on the shoulder. He states that he was in hospital four months under treatment for wound and shock. This afternoon five H G shells fell a few hundred yards from his camp. He was……..evidently suffering from senile nervous shock, trembling, pale, withdrawn fearful and begging to be sent back Barracks. Considered useless and possibly dangerous to others if employed where likely to come under shell fire. Diagnosed as neurasthenia by Medical Office, Shell-shock division.

He was sent home and discharged on the 2nd October 1917: ‘No longer physically fit on account of wounds received in action.’ Fabian Sperry survived the war and was twice married. He died in February 1970.