In memory of Thomas Henry Spanton, who was a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and died on 1st July 1915. He had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and a Russian medal, the Cross of St. George (4th Class). The award of the DCM indicates that he must have been in the ranks before he was an officer. He himself was a native of Dawley in Shropshire, and his parents lived in Hereford. His sister, Mrs J. D. Groom, lived at the Manor House in Great Harrowden, Northamptonshire. He also had a brother who lived at Isham, Northamptonshire.
Thomas Spanton is buried at Ferme Buterne Military Cemetery, near Armentieres.
I have not yet had an opportunity to research what the 3rd Battalion KRRC was doing on 1st July 1915. Any information gratefully received.