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.

On October 20th, Pte. Sproston of 12 Platoon "C" Company died at Tank, and the news of his death came as a shock to all. He was not a native of London, but came up from Staffordshire in order to enlist in a cyclist corps. Joining the First Battalion at Chiseldon, he at once became popular in his platoon, and as he became better known this popularity extended not only to his Company but to the whole Battalion. He represented the Londons at football both in the Battalion and Third Line teams and also played regularly for his platoon and company.

Jack, as he was known to the great majority of the battalion, was always ready to help a friend in any way which lay in his power, and everyone was sorry when he volunteered for service as a sanitary man with the Miran Shah Moveable Column, though we little thought when he went that in that service he would find his death. He was one of those men of whom it could be truthfully said that in sport or in anything else he always played the game. Requiescat in pace!

[The Londoner magazine, Feb 1919 - V.III, No.2 pg.53.]

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]