Slemsman Index: W-Z
Spencer Wade
1907-1913
B.A. Classics
Born in Durham in 1888, Spencer was the son of a Coal Miner and, aged 14, found himself also in the Mine. He first met Allworthy through his parish church, where the former was a curate. Allworthy- on discovering that Spencer had taught himself Greek- was so impressed by the boy’s ability that he took him into his care, first teaching him himself and then arranging for him to attend Macclesfield Grammar School. After completing his time at the at the Grammar School, Spencer joined Allworthy at his newly established hostel in Newton Heath, first as a matriculation student and then as a student at Manchester University.
On graduating, Spencer was made deacon and appointed to Torquay, Devon, with his new wife Sis, with whom he had one child, his son John. In 1914, he was made priest and appointed to Barnard’s Castle, Durham. A series of appointments in Durham and the surrounding area followed. During his ministry, Spencer also had the opportunity to deliver the sermon at the Durham Miner’s Gala Mass in 1935 and on two occasions, once in 1930 and again in 1932, preached for the King at Buckingham Palace. Retiring to Hamshaugh in the North Tyne Valley in 1958, Spencer found that the local vicar had also been a Slemsman. Spencer died in February 1976, shortly after his second wife Winifred.
You can learn about Spencer’s story here.
Charles Norman Worden
c.1911
M.A. Classics
Born in 1891 to Joseph and Mary Ann, Charles Norman Worden was the third of four children and grew up with his family in Blackpool, in the little Bispham area. Charles’ father was a corporation clerk and later a provider of herbal remedies. As a young man, Charles attended Blackpool High School, taking part in events such as plays and school sports matches. Among his achievements there, he was awarded a prize for proficiency in English and German in 1908 and achieved honours in Classics in 1909. By 1910, Charles had moved to Arnold House School and from there passed the matriculation examination in the August of that year, at the same time also passing the Cambridge local examinations with 2nd class honours. In 1911, Charles was an Arts Student residing at St Anselm’s Hostel, although how long he lived there in unclear. He achieved an MA with honours in classics in 1914. In 1915, Charles married Elizabeth Cameron. During the 1st World War he served with the Kings (Liverpool) Regiment and with the 107th Pioneers in India. Discharged in 1919, Charles returned to teaching in Birmingham, with a career that took him around the country, including Exeter and Chelmsford. By 1953 he married his second wife Lavina. Charles died in Nottingham in 1957.
