Captain Paul Spencer had served with the Commando since its formation in August 1943. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his gallant and distinguished service whilst Adjutant during an assault on a gun battery at Walcheren on the 2nd November 1944. He also served in 1 Commando Brigade. Final rank attained Major. Post war member of the Commando Association from Dublin

"On Walcheren on 2 Nov., 47(RM) Commando was attacking a strongly defended, elaborately constructed battery position S.E. of Zouteland. Heavy casualties had been inflicted on the leading troops, including five officers. Several attempts had been made to reach the strongly held plateau above the battery, but all without success.

Wireless communication having failed, Captain Spencer, the Adjutant, was sent forward to find out what the situation was, and to withdraw the remainder of the two attacking troops under cover of darkness to a ridge about 350 yards from the enemy position. He found the ranks without officers and very disorganised. It was nearly midnight before the wounded had been collected, and the remainder established in a position of all round defence.

During the night the Germans attacked this position with about 60 men, far more than Captain Spencer had at his disposal, but they were driven off. Later the enemy made repeated attacks to infiltrate into the position. All these failed. Had they succeeded the ground so necessary as a firm base for further attempts to capture the enemy battery would have been lost.

Captain Spencer by his remarkable leadership and inspiring example was to a very large extent personally responsible for holding this vital ground.

The next morning another attack was put in on this battery by two fresh troops. The commanders of both these troops became casualties and the momentum of the attack was fast petering out, when Captain Spencer, seeing that the situation was critical, went forward to pull the assaulting troops together, and to coordinate their attack.

Leaving cover and taking up position on the open dunes, with complete disregard for his personal safety, he collected the few troops there were at hand, and led them in a bayonet charge up the soft sand slopes and into the enemy position. The first gun casement was captured, and working through the communication trenches and underground passages, within 45 minutes the whole battery was in our hands. 

By his superb courage at a time when things were going badly, this officer inspired the men to put new life and spirit into their efforts that they succeeded where four times their number had previously failed."