Queens South Africa Medal clasps Transvaal & South Africa 1902 named 3998 SERJT J SPEARS SHROPS LI & Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal named 3998 SJT J SPEARS SHROPS LI. Somw edge bruise and light contact marks.
John Spears was born at Hulme, Lancashire in Dec 1872 and was in the 4th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers when he enlisted at Bury on 21st Jan 1893 with the 2nd Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry numbered 3998. Posted to join the first Battalion in Hong Kong on 15th Dec 1893 he was there during the plague when the Battalion acted as the 'Whitewash Brigade', helping to combat the effects of the epidemic.
They were later posted to India on 22nd Dec 1894 where Spears was advanced Sergeant on 1st Apr 1899. Transferred back to 2nd Battalion in South Africa on 14th Feb 1902 he served with them in the Transvaal during the final months of the Anglo-Boer War. Returning to Britain on 15th Jan 1904 his final tour of duty was in India from 2 October 1907 till he was back home on 20th Jan 1911.
Joining the Army Reserve Spears was discharged in 1911, earning his L.S. & G.C. in October of that year. He returned to service during the Great War on 24th Sep 1914 with the Manchester Regiment 70th TRB and saw Home service until 30th Nov 1917. For this service he is entitled to a Silver War Badge only.
