| Regimental number | 39343 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Orkney Islands |
| True Name | SPENCE, John Robert |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 26.3 |
| Height | 5' 11" |
| Weight | 168 lbs |
| Next of kin | Friend, William Kirkness, Pukeawa, Otago |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Balclutha |
| Rank on embarkation | Rifleman |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade Reinforcements, J Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade Reinforcements, J Company embarked on two ships, 'Navua' and 'Aparima'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Final rank | Rifleman |
| Final unit | 4th Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 27 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 7), nr Ieper, Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Robert A. Spence and Mary C. Spence, Makerhouse, Dounby, Orkney, Scotland |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Wellington, 15 February 1917; disembarked, Devonport, England, 26 April 1917, and marched into Sling Camp. Proceeded overseas to France, 26 May 1917; joined 4th Bn, NZ Rifle Brigade, in the field, 18 June 1917, and posted to C Company. Reported wounded in action, 12 October 1917. Court of Enquiry, 21 November 1917, concluded: 'Previously reported wounded; now missing believed killed Oct 12th 1917'. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 3: Roll 55, p. 36 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 7820207 |