John Blick Spurgin facts for kids

Sir John Blick Spurgin (1821–1903) was a British army officer. He played an important role during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Early Life and First Battles

John Spurgin was the son of John Spurgin and Eliza Walsham Dax. He joined the Madras Army in 1842. This was part of the British forces in India. He served with the Royal Madras Fusiliers.

He started as an ensign, which is a junior officer rank. By 1847, he became a 2nd lieutenant. He spent a year working at Warley Barracks in England. During this time, he got married.

Spurgin and the Royal Madras Fusiliers fought in the Second Anglo-Burmese War. This war was between Britain and Burma. He helped capture a city called Pegu, now known as Bago. In 1856, he was promoted to captain.

Role in the Indian Rebellion

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began in May 1857. This was a major uprising against British rule in India. Many officers in the Madras Fusiliers were not present. So, James George Smith Neill took command of the Fusiliers.

In June 1857, Neill sent Spurgin and his troops on quick night marches. They moved along the Ganges River from Benares (Varanasi) to Allahabad (now Prayagraj). Their job was to help Henry Havelock's forces.

Once in Allahabad, Neill planned to move by road to Kanpur. Spurgin, however, traveled along the Ganges River. He waited a few days to work with Havelock's group.

Journey by Steamer

On July 3, Spurgin started his journey to Kanpur by steamer. The steamer was called Brahmaputra. He had to find fuel along the way for the boat. The boat carried soldiers, two cannons, and some injured gunners.

The steamer traveled alongside Havelock's army on land. They were about 5 miles apart. The boat towed five other boats filled with supplies. It moved slowly, about 1 knot per hour, on the river.

On July 6, the steamer was shot at from the riverbank. Spurgin's men had to land and fight. The next day, July 7, they attacked a fort with cannons. On July 11, the steamer anchored as Havelock ordered. It was then attacked by enemy artillery. Rebel boats tried to cross the river but were destroyed. The rebel leader then surrendered to Spurgin.

Key Battles and Command

On July 9, Neill sent a message to Charles Canning. He explained that Spurgin was following orders. He also said the river route to Kanpur was very important.

Kanpur was captured by Havelock on July 17. Spurgin's diary shows that some rebel soldiers were executed there. This was in response to terrible acts by the rebels.

On July 22, Spurgin became a staff officer for Neill in Kanpur. He later wrote about the death of Sir Hugh Wheeler at the Satichaura Ghat.

Spurgin served as a major in the Oudh Field Force. Neill was killed by a sniper on September 25 in central Lucknow. Spurgin found Neill's body. His diary includes details about the relief of Lucknow. Copies of his diary entries are kept in the British Library. He also took part in Sir James Outram's operations against the Alambagh and Qaisar Bagh.

In July 1858, Spurgin was promoted to major.

Later Military Career

Spurgin left India in 1859. In 1866, he was promoted from lieutenant-colonel to colonel. He later retired for a time in 1872 from the 102nd Foot.

From 1873 to 1877, Spurgin commanded a military district in Ireland. In 1877, he became a major-general. He was then sent to Naas in Ireland. The barracks there later became a base for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

In 1881, Spurgin's old regiment, the 102nd (Royal Madras) Fusiliers, merged with another. They formed the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. In 1880, he was given command of the 1st Brigade at Aldershot for three years. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Spurgin was made an honorary colonel commandant of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1895. He died at his home in London on November 27, 1903.

Awards and Honours

Spurgin received several important awards for his service.

• He was made a CB in 1869.
• He became a CSI in 1871.
• He was knighted in 1893, becoming a KCB. This means he was given the title "Sir".

Family Life

In December 1848, John Spurgin married Emma Wakefield. They were married at St Pancras New Church. Emma passed away in 1886 when she was 60 years old.

They had two children:

• John Henry Spurgin: Their only son. He became an officer in the Scots Fusiliers. In 1887, he married Beatrice Emma Wingrove.
• Emma Louisa: Their daughter. She married Peter Aubertin in 1877. She died in either 1887 or 1891.