Private John Spence

Private John Spence, 11th ( Service ) Battalion Royal Scots. He was killed in action in France, aged 19, during the Battle of the Lys, which was part of the German Spring Offensive, on 13th April 1918 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, Belgium. He had been born in Swinton and was the son of William and Agnes Spence.  He had been employed as a hall boy at Lennel House, Coldstream before enlisting in May 1917.  He was originally posted to the 55th Training Battalion and then as Private in the 4th Reserve Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.  Eventually he was sent to join the 11th Royal Scots in France on the 31st March 1918. The photographs show British troops behind makeshift defences awaiting further German advances.

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