13995 Corporal James Spiers, (21/2/1895-10/12/1916). "a most popular young man"

Mr J. J. Spiers, of Kurow, has received intimation that his son, Corporal James Spiers, was killed in France on December 10th. Corporal Spiers left with the Fourteenth' Reinforcements. He was educated at St. Patrick's School and later at Waitaki High School. Upon leaving school he entered the employment of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., and in 1910 entered the service of the New Zealand Insurance Co., where he remained until his enlistment. He was a most popular young man in the town, and was well known in sporting circles, being a member of the Hill Tennis Club, the Oamaru Hockey Club, and the Athletic Football Club, of which latter body he was past secretary and a member until the time of his leaving. The late Corporal Spiers was twenty-three years of age.  -North Otago Times, 30/12/1916.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

DEATH

SPIERS. — Killed while in action in France, Corporal James Spiers, fourth and dearly beloved son of Mary and John Spiers, Kurow; in his 22nd year.   -Otago Daily Times, 30/12/1916.

The Official History of James Spiers' Regiment, the Otagos, has no record of action on the day of his death.  It does, however, graphically describe what it was like to occupy the trenches after the gruelling and deadly time of the Battle of the Somme.

On December 2nd the 1st Battalion of the Regiment returned to the line in relief of Wellington, and continued to garrison the trenches until the 10th. The weather was now exceedingly wet and cold, hard frosts alternating with rain and snow. The issue of gum boots and frequent changes of socks considerably alleviated the hardships of the winter months; but nevertheless the parades of sick on returning to billets became increasingly large and for some time occasioned grave concern. The low-lying, fog-laden country of Flanders, and the never-ending mud doubtless contributed to this condition of affairs; but for the major portion of it the primary cause was to be found elsewhere. It was now that the severe strain and exposure to which the Regiment had been subjected during the course of the Somme fighting was making itself felt among those who had come through it, but had never properly recovered from the effects. Thus many had been reduced to a state which left them unable to withstand the severity of the winter months, and when this was realised a more generous policy in the matter of timely evacuations was decided upon and given effect to.

James Spiers' remains lie in the Rue Petillon Cemetery at Fleurbaix, France.