John Colin SPROSTON - London 1/25th Regt

John Colin Sproston was from Little Hamwood, Staffordshire, the son of Christopher Sproston and Ellen (nee Morris). He died on the 20th of October 1918 at Tank, Waziristan, of pneumonia coming after influenza. This was the time that influenza was sweeping India, and many other soldiers were also affected. It appears that at the time of his death he was away from the main body of the regiment. This is evident from a letter to his parents from the Officer Commanding 'C' Company, as well as other documentation showing at this time that the regiment was at Simla / Jutogh in the Himalayan foothills. The letter mentions that he was sent to Tank in charge of sanitation, so perhaps he was working on the military facilities there in anticipation of further requirements, which indeed came about in 1919.

The documents forwarded to the family on his death were kindly provided by his great nephew Colin Sproston.

John Colin Sproston documents.

Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19

Sproston, John Colin, resident Little Hamwood, Norths Staffs, enlisted Fulham, 740966, Pte., died in India, 20 Oct 1918.

['Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19', Vol. 10, Part 76, Page 207, 25th (County of London) Battalion (Cyclists), pub. 1921 by His Majesty's Stationary Office]

In Memory of

Private John Colin SPROSTON

740966, 25th Bn., London Regiment (Cyclists)

who died age 24 on 20 October 1918

Son of Christopher and Ellen Sproston, of Ivy Cottage, Little Haywood, Staffs. (Buried Tank Cem. 36.)

Delhi Memorial (India Gate) Face 23.

Of the servicemen commemorated by name on the memorial, just over 1,000 lie in cemeteries to the west of the River Indus, where maintenance was not possible. The remainder died in fighting on or beyond the North West Frontier and during the Third Afghan War, and have no known grave. The Delhi Memorial (India Gate) stands at the eastern end of the Rajpath, or Kingsway.

[Courtesy of Commonwealth War Graves Commission]

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