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James was born about 1821.
He enlisted in the British Army. He was promoted to Colour Serjeant in the Royal Sappers and Miners. He gained a commission in 1855 and held the following ranks:
- Cornet, 16 December 1855[1]
- Lieutenant, 1 April 1857
- Half pay from Land Transport Corps[2]
- Quarter Master, 14th Regiment, 31 December 1857[3][4]
- Lieutenant, 17th Regiment, 26 April 1864[5]
- Retired after the sale of his commission, 26 April 1864
He served as a Quarter master in the 14th Regiment of Foot, British Army. He arrived in New Zealand on the Robert Lowe on 29 November 1860 [6]and retired by sale of his commission on 26 April 1864. He served in the New Zealand Wars and was awarded the New Zealand Medal. [7]
He died on 11 August 1890 aged 69 in Auckland, New Zealand. The funeral left the residence of his son at Somerset Place, Howe Street. He was buried at Symonds Street Cemetery.[8]
Cemetery Records - Symonds Street Abstract According to the late 1950's tombstone transcriptions James Spry (Lieutenant and Quarter Master for the 11th Regiment) died 11 August 1890 aged 69 years, his wife Elizabeth Spry died 22 May 1892 aged 70 years and Catherine Spry died 18 July 1862 aged 10 years 3 months.
The early 1880's map of the Wesleyan section has two Spry graves, with headstone, at 1 A 41 to 1 A 42. Subjects Spry, James, d.1890; 14th Regiment; Spry, Elizabeth, d.1892; Spry, Catherine, d.1862
Research
I'm wondering whether he didn't obtain a Publican's License in 1865, for the Star Hotel in Newton. Seems very likely. PUBLICANS LICENSES.,New Zealander, Volume XXII, Issue 2406, 18 April 1865[9]. Hotels provided lodgings too, so see also SUPREME COURT.,New Zealander, Volume XXII, Issue 2443, 31 May 1865[10] Notes: The (Variable Quality) Photographs at Auckland City Libraries of the TOMBSTONE in the Wesleyan section at E 70 of March 1995 (Auckland City Libraries Negative Nos 47008\E\9-12) have "Sacred to the memory of Catherine Spry who departed this life July the 18th 1862 aged 10 years & 3 months , her days on earth were few, they past away like morning dew, take warning by her call in youth and early seek the God of truth, also James Spry, late Qtr Master 11th Regt. died Aug 11th 1890 aged 69 years, and Elizabeth, relict of James Spry, died May 2nd 1892 aged 70 years".
Sources
- ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/21861/page/1081
- ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/22079/page/53
- ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/22079/page/53
- ↑ https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/105957236
- ↑ https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/22848/page/2281
- ↑ :Auckland Area Passenger Arrivals 1838-1889
- Name SPRY, J.
- Vessel ROBERT LOWE: Nov 29 1860
- Notes Title: Quarter Master 14th regt. 2nd Batt.
- ↑ empiresoldiers.shinyapps.io/Soldiers_of_Empire_Data_Explorer/ Listed as J. Sprey Lieutenant Quarter Master.
- ↑ https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18900813.2.3
- ↑ http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZ18650418.2.12
- ↑ http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZ18650531.2.27
- New Zealand Births Deaths Marriages
- http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18900812.2.42
- http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz
- Plymouth & West Devon Parish Registers 1538-1912 Vol 9 Page 435
- http://newsfeed.rootsweb.com/th/read/NZ-AUCKLAND/2002-08/1030497540
- has intersts in Thames see http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DSC18701125.2.27.2
