Edward Spencer was born in Warwick on 18 August 1922, the son of John Thomas Spencer (a general labourer) and Mary Georgina Spencer (née Buckingham). At the time the 1939 Register was compiled Edward Spencer was listed as a painter’s mate living at home with his parents at 10, Barrack Street, Warwick.

It is not clear when he joined the Royal Navy or submarines but in late December 1944 he was serving in the minelayer submarine HMS PORPOISE based on the Submarine Depot Ship HMS MAIDSTONE at Trincomalee in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). PORPOISE sailed from Trincomalee on 2 January 1945 with orders to lay a minefield in the vicinity of Penang on the Malay peninsula. It is understood that a signal from PORPOISE confirmed that this had been successfully carried out and this was the last signal received from the submarine.

Apparently a submarine believed to be HMS PORPOISE was spotted and bombed by Japanese aircraft in the vicinity of Penang. Although not sunk by this attack, the submarine was damaged and was leaking oil leaving a trail for the Japanese forces to follow. Further attacks are understood to have sunk PORPOISE with all hands.

Edward Spencer is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Panel 89, Column 2.