| Regimental number | 3317 |
| Place of birth | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Queenstown, South Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 33 |
| Height | 5' 4.25" |
| Weight | 115 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Elsie Spooner, Port Road, Alberton, South Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil (previously rejected for AIF enlistment on account of teeth) |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, 7th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A57 Malakuta on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Adelaide, 27 June 1916; disembarked Devonport, England, 22 August 1916; marched in to 8th Training Bn, Larkhill, 24 August 1916. Found guilty, 12 September 1916, of when on Active Service disobeying a lawful command given by his superior Officer in that he at Larkhill on 7 September 1916, when ordered to double by Sergeant Dearing, refused to do so: awarded 14 days' Field Punishment No 2, and forfeited a total of 14 days' pay. Proceeded overseas to France (date not recorded); marched in to 5th Australian Division Base Depot, Etaples, 12 November 1916. Taken on strength, 32nd Bn, in the field, 25 November 1916. Admitted to 14th Australian Field Ambulance, 2 January 1917 (influenza); discharged to duty from Anzac Corps Rest Station, 18 January 1917. Admitted to 45th Casualty Clearing Station, 16 Februiary 1917 (frost bite, toe); transferred to 1st Australian General Hospital, Rouen 17 February 1917; transferred to England, 12 March 1917, and admitted to Reading War Hospital, 14 March 1917; discharged on furlough, 6 July 1917, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 20 July 1917. Marched in to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 27 July 1917. Found guilty, 25 July 1917, of being absent without leave from 3.30 pm, 20 July, till 3.30 pm, 23 July 1917: awarded 5 days' confined to camp, and forfeiture of 4 days' pay. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Suevic', 27 September 1917; disembarked, 18 November 1917; discharged (medically unfit: caries of spine), Adelaide, 4 December 1917. War service: 1 year 252 days (of which 1 year 145 days was abroad) Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, SPOONER John Alfred |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
