4th September 1885

Blackheath, London

Half-Back

Spencer Bassett born in Blackheath, signing from Woolwich Arsenal and leaving to join Swansea Town, played three Southern League seasons for Exeter City between 1910 and 1913. A regular during the first two of those seasons, he played on for two more years after leaving St James' Park before -  after joining the war effort in 1915 - he was killed in action on the Western Front in 1917 aged thirty-one. 

Son of a grocer, Spencer Bassett attended Earl Street School close to the ground of Woolwich Arsenal. On leaving school he joined North Kent United who competed in the East London Thursday and East Wickham leagues before playing for Eltham United in the West Kent League where he won the Kent Senior Cup and the Thames & Medway League. Subsequently signing as a professional for Maidstone when aged eighteen, he had a season at a higher level before realising a childhood ambition when signing for Woolwich Arsenal. Playing regularly for the Gunners' reserve team at Plumstead for the next four seasons, he also played once for the first-team in the Football League. 

Signing for Exeter City in the summer of 1910, he quickly settled into the Grecians team after making his debut against Brentford in the Southern League at St James’ Park. He became an ever-present in the City side during 1911/12 when he was particularly noted for his speed and pluck.

Having made 81 Southern League appearances during his time at Exeter City, he joined Swansea Town for the 1913/14 season ahead of moving to Southend United the following season. With football suspended from 1915 he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery and was sent to the Western Front where, on 11 April 1917, he was killed.

Spencer Bassett is buried at the Pozieres War Cemetery.

For more information about Spencer Bassett’s war service and death see his entry in the  Killed in Action section of the Archive