Heworth St. Mary
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Ramsay Spoors was born 1887 at Felling, County Durham, one of 8 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters of Henry Spoors native of Byker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, born April 24th 1847 and Mary McBride 1847 from Scotland, whom he married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, June 15th 1877, setting up home at Felling Shore, Gateshead. James Spoors passed away September 8th 1891 aged 44 leaving his wife with their youngest new born child Peter a mere 2 months old. Mary in 1901 was living at 34 Carlisle Street with her 5 sons, two of whom were employed at the shipyards, Robert now 15 worked at the coal mine as a screener, above ground, John and Peter the youngest were scholars.
At the time of his marriage April 17th 1911 to Margaret Jackson Sturrock (1887) of Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland, at Felling, Gateshead, Robert was still working as a miner/hewer. His wife gave birth to their first child, a daughter, Elizabeth Helen, April 19th 1912 followed by a son, James Lawson May 16th 1916.
Robert Ramsay Spoors was examined by the medical officer at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, October 20th 1914, declaring his residence as 32, Duke Street, Felling and that he had previously served in the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was assigned as Private 161 to the Northumberland Fusiliers remaining in England until February 22nd 1916. Landing in France with his Battalion as preparations were being made for the Battles of the Somme he participated with the 18th Battalion part of the 34th Division on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, July 1st 1916, at Albert, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoute, Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge. Suffering from Entoritis September 11th 1916 Private Spoors was taken to the 46th Field Ambulance where he remained until he was fit enough to re-join his unit November 11th.
The Battle of Arras ragged from April 9th 1917 until May 16th 1917. One month later during general trench day to day fighting Private Spoors was wounded, a gunshot wound to the thigh, June 8th 1917. Taken to the 103rd Field Ambulance attached to the 34th Division some 600 yards behind the front line he was transported to the 42nd Casualty Clearing Station at Aubigny, reaching it on the 10th. From there he was returned to England on the 13th aboard the hospital ship Stad Antwerpen. Once recovered he joined the Command at Alnwick July 10th 1917 and was sent to the Reserve Unit at East Boldon, October 9th 1917.
Private Spoors was embarked along with the British Expeditionary Force November 28th 1917, disembarking in France the following day, assigned at the field depot to the 10th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers he was posted to Italy joining his Battalion in the field December 2nd 1917 and remained on the Italian Front. He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal July 8th 1918 and paid Corporal November 26th. One month later he was returned to England aboard La Margarite via Cherbourg. Discharged suffering from meningitis he was transferred to the reserve January 28th 1919, as Class Z, liable to recall in the event of renewed hostilities should the Armistice with Germany be violated. Prior to the abolition of Class Z, March 31st 1920, Private 161 Robert Ramsay Spoors Northumberland Fusiliers died January 20th 1920 aged 33 years and was interred at Heworth (St. Mary) Churchyard, Felling, County Durham.
January 25th 1922 his widow was granted a pension of 23 shillings and 6 pence a week for herself and their two children back-dated from his discharge to the time of his death. Margaret paid the sum of three shillings and 2 pence for additional words to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Peace Perfect Peace” and received his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Margaret Jackson Spoors died in 1948, aged 62 years. Robert and Margaret’s daughter Elizabeth Helen married Sydney Young in 1939 and died at Gateshead in 1996 aged 84 years, James Lawson Spoors died aged 82 at Gateshead in 1997.
Of the remaining Spoors brothers Thomas born 1870 does not appear to have served.
James Spoors enlisted as a Private in the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, was wounded but survived the conflict.
John George born 1888 was a Corporation employee at the cleansing department. He enlisted as Guardsman 26332 Grenadier Guards serving in France from February 14th 1917 until February 4th 1919 and was discharged March 31st 1920. British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Peter Spoors born 1891 lived at 4, Brandling Place, Felling-on-Tyne. Employed at the colliery as a miner he enlisted June 10th 1913 and was assigned as Private 41841 Durham Light Infantry, 9th Battalion. At the outbreak of war transferred to the 23rd (Reserve) Battalion, he served entirely in England until his discharge July 6th 1917 under King’s Regulations 392 (xvi) no longer physically fit for war service. He died at Gateshead, County Durham in 1969 aged 77 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Ramsay Spoors is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
