Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Davidson Spoors Jnr. was born 1896 and was baptised at Christ Church, Gateshead, October 25th 1896. one of 2 sons born to John Davidson Snr. born April 16th 1873, baptised May 11th 1873 and Eliza Stratton born 1877, both natives of Gateshead, County Durham. They married in the district of Gateshead in 1895, by 1901 they were living at 53, Hubert Street, Gateshead, John Snr. was working as a tinsmith, they had a lodger, painter tinsmith, Peter Hills to supplement their income. Eliza died aged 27 years during the 3rd quarter of 1904, his father married for a second time to Betsy Hunter nee Brown with whom he had a further 3 children, a son and 2 daughters. Unfortunately, their daughter Lilian died in 1914 aged only 7 years. In 1911 his father’s occupation was unchanged, however they had moved to 28, Salisbury Street, Pelaw-on-Tyne, John Jnr. only 14 years old was working as a brick maker operating the winding machine.
John Davidson Spoors Jnr. now working as a miner left his employment and enlisted, October 5th 1915, aged 19, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, “D” Coy Durham Light Infantry as Private 27849. The 2nd Battalion was Regular Army and the main body of men had departed from Southampton bound for France September 20th 1914. After undergoing training in England Private Spoors joined the Regiment in the field April 1st 1916. He rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal by May and assumed duties as a Corporal June 19th 1916 before the Battalion attached to the 18th Brigade of the 6th Division was moved south in late July to join the fighting on the Somme. They participated at the Battle of Delville Wood, Flers-Courcelette and Morval September 1916, Battle of Ancre Heights early October and Battle of Ancre mid November 1916. After months of continuous trench warfare November 20th 1917 still as part of the 6th Division the Battalion joined the British tank advance at Cambrai, taking prisoners and capturing German guns.
During a German counter-attack Private Spoors was dangerously wounded in the leg and buttock, September 28th 1917 and taken by Field Ambulance to the 7th Casualty Clearing Station. Private 27849 John Davison Spoors Durham Light Infantry died the following day September 29th 1917 and was interred at Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery Extension, grave II. B. 20. He was 20 years old and single.
His father whom he nominated in a will as his sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. A number of his belongings including; disc, letters photos pipe cigarette case, cigarettes, cigarette lighter, money belt and pouch were returned to him at 28, Salisbury Street, Pelaw-on-Tyne.
John’s full brother Herbert Spoors also served assigned as Air Mechanic 2nd Class Royal Flying Corps, number 11574. He may well have been assigned to this unit on the assumption he followed in the footsteps of his father and brother becoming a tinsmith, one of the many useful trades required by the Flying Corps. He survived the Great War and died in 1968 aged 69.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917 carries a notice which reads:
“Corporal John Spoors, D.L.I., died from wounds received in action, Sept. 28th. Eldest son of John and the late Eliza Spoors and step-son of Elizabeth Spoors, 28 Salisbury Street, Pelaw.”
John Davidson Spoors is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
