Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Spurr, an agricultural labourer, born 1841 in Asfordby, Leicestershire, and his wife Mary Ann Spurr (nee Smith, married on the 8th February 1869 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire), born 1851 in Barkby, Leicestershire. John Thomas, a schoolboy, was born in the 3rd quarter of 1884 in Kirby Bellars, Leicestershire, his siblings were, George Henry, a boot trade riveter, born 1877 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, Albert, a schoolboy, born 13th January 1880, Emma, a schoolgirl, born 1882 and Rebecca, born 1886, the latter three siblings were all born in Kirby Bellars, in April 1891 the family home was at The Lodge, Kirby Bellars. In March 1901 John was absent from the family home at Main Street, Asfordby, residing there was his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Albert, a blast furnace labourer and Rebecca, also residing in the family home was John’s widowed paternal grandmother, Sarah Spurr, born 1820 in Leicestershire. In April 1911 John was employed as a blast furnace worker, and was residing in the family home at Asfordby, together with his father, a farm labourer and his mother.
John attested into the Militia to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 24th May 1902 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Kirby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and his trade or calling as labourer, and his present employer was Mr. D. -?-, Contractor of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He stated that he resided in Asfordby, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father George Spurr and his mother Mary Ann Spurr both of Asfordby, Leicestershire. His older brothers, George Henry Spurr of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and Albert Spurr of Asfordby, Leicestershire and his sisters, Elizabeth Spurr, Mary Spurr and Rebecca Spurr as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4¾ inches in height, weighed 111 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was light brown and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he had tattoo marks on the back of his left wrist. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Militia on the 26th May 1902 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 8249 on the 24/5/02. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment – Militia and commenced 49 days drill on the 24/5/02. Transferred to the Regular Army (Leicestershire Regiment) on the 27/1/03.
The War Diary records: 7 May-15 - (Fri) Relieved BUFFS at RUE DU BOIS at 8.00pm.
The War Diary records: 8 May-15 - (Sat) Quiet all day.
The War Diary records: 9 May-15 - (Sun) 2 officers and 11 men wounded mostly by trench mortars.
The War Diary records: 10 May-15 - (Mon) Quiet all day.
On Friday June 4th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – ANOTHER ASFORDBY MAN KILLED. – We also regret to record the death of still another local hero in the person of Pte. John Thomas Spurr (Dick), No. 6826, of the 1st Leicester Regiment. His parents reside in New Street, Asfordby, and the news of his death has been received from two of his comrades. Private Spurr served eight years with the Colours, chiefly in India, and later worked at the Holwell Iron Works, going about a year ago to Clay Cross from where he rejoined as a reservist. Pte. J. W. Poole, of Frisby, says he was shot through the head and died almost immediately. They had known one another all their lives, and he was a very good soldier, ready for anything or to go anywhere, and he is buried among several of his comrades close to the firing line. Another comrade writing to Mr. and Mrs. Spurr says they were giving them a heavy rapid fire at the time he got shot, to keep the German’s from firing at our aeroplanes which were going over their lines for observation work. They generally saw an air fight over their trenches and the German airmen about always came off “tails.” Private Spurr was 31 years of age.
On Saturday June 5th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – Private J. T. SPURR (No.6826), of the 1st Leicesters, whose parents reside at New Street, Asfordby, has been killed in action. Private Spurr served eight years with the colours, principally in India, and on joining the reserve he worked for a time at the Holwell Iron Company’s works, later going to Clay Cross. He rejoined his regiment on mobilisation. From information received from Private J. W. Poole, of Frisby, Private Spurr was shot through the head and died almost immediately. Another comrade says: “We were giving them a heavy rapid fire at the time he got shot, to keep the Germans from firing at our aeroplanes, which were going over their lines for observation work.” Private Spurr, who was 30 years of age, was buried with several of his comrades close to the firing line.
On Friday June 11th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. –
KILLED.
1st Battalion.
Dodd, 10188, Private F. A., Spurr, 6826, Private J.
WOUNDED.
1st Battalion.
Allcroft, 9435, Private J. L., Bateman, 10543, Private W., Chamberlain, 11971, Private F., Cook, 8409, Private C., Cook, 7594, Private J., Dyer, 10172, Private W., Heath, 7512, Private R., Hughes, 10778, Private W., Jones, 9621, Private H., Kent, 10438, Private I., Martin, 6613, Private F., Newcombe, 9655, Private T., Oliver, 7179, Private P., Parker, 10193, Private C., Simpson, 7710, Private A., Smith, 8021, Lance Sergeant A., Warrington, 11449, Private W., West, 5346, Sergeant F., Wilson, 9724, Private T.
SUFFERING FROM GAS POISONING.
1st Battalion.
Chilvers, 8494, Private G.