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Sir '''John Blick Spurgin''' {{postnominals|country= GBR|size=80%|KCB|CSI}} (1821–1903) was a British army officer, a prominent figure of the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]].<ref>{{cite DIB|wstitle=Spurgin, Sir John Blick}}</ref>

==Early life==
He was the son of [[John Spurgin]] and his first wife, Eliza(beth) Walsham (or Walshman) Dax. He joined the [[Madras Army]] in 1842, and served with the [[Royal Madras Fusiliers]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Debrett's illustrated baronetage and knightage (and companionage) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |date=1884 |page=752 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EeINAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA3-PA752 |language=en}}</ref> Entering at the rank of ensign, he became 2nd lieutenant in 1847.<ref name="Hart">{{cite web |title=(428) - Army lists > Hart's Army Lists > New annual army list, and militia list > 1867 - British Military lists - National Library of Scotland |url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/115663626?mode=transcription |website=digital.nls.uk}}</ref> He was posted for a year's duty at [[Warley Barracks]];<ref>{{cite book |title=Allen's Indian Mail, and Register of Intelligence for British and Foreign India, China, and All Parts of the East |date=1847 |page=250 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZBYYAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA250 |language=en}}</ref> and during this period he married.<ref name="Standard">{{cite news |title=Marriages |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000183/18481204/032/0004 |work=London Evening Standard |date=4 December 1848|page=4}}</ref>

With the Royal Madras Fusiliers, Spurgin took part in the [[Second Anglo-Burmese War]] and the capture of Pegu ([[Bago, Myanmar|Bago]]). He was promoted to captain in 1856.<ref name="Hart"/>

==Rebellion of 1857==
At the outbreak in May 1857 of the Indian Rebellion, the upper command echelons of the Madras Fusiliers were sparse. The colonels were absent: [[Scudamore Winde Steel]] had returned permanently to the United Kingdom in 1856, and John Laurie (died 1861 at age 69) was officially on furlough.<ref>{{cite book |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1857 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |page=34 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JBooAAAAYAAJ&pg=PT34 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Deaths |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002212/18610731/174/0008 |work=Cheltenham Examiner |date=31 July 1861|page=8}}</ref> Morden Carthew, one of the lieutenant colonels, fought in Bengal as a Brigadier-General.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Walford |first1=Edward |title=The county families of the United Kingdom; or, Royal manual of the titled and untitled aristocracy of Great Britain and Ireland. Containing a brief notice of the descent, birth, marriage, education, and appointments of each person, his heir apparent or presumptive, as also a record of the offices which he has hitherto held, together with his town address and country residence |date=1919 |publisher=Dalcassian Publishing Company |page=108 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2m_cDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA108 |language=en}}</ref> The other lieutenant-colonel, Daniel H. Stevenson, was in poor health, and returned to the United Kingdom. The outcome was that at the end of April 1857, [[James George Smith Neill]], who had just arrived from work with the Ottoman allies, took command of the Fusiliers, who had been anticipating a posting to the [[Anglo-Persian War]] that had just concluded.<ref name="Neill">{{cite ODNB|id=19863|first=T. R.|last=Moreman|title=Neill, James George Smith (1810–1857)}}</ref>

During the early stages of the rebellion, in June 1857, Neill sent Spurgin with troops on rapid night marches along the [[Ganges River]], from Benares ([[Varanasi]]) to [[Allahabad]] (Prayagraj), to support [[Henry Havelock]]'s flank.<ref name="Obit">{{cite news |title=Obituary: Lieutenant-General Sir John Spurgin |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000576/19031201/031/0004 |work=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=1 December 1903|page=4}}</ref> Once at Allahabad, Neill decided on an advance by road to [[Kanpur]] (known then as Cawnpore) by road, by Major George Renaud on a punitive mission with a force that left on 30 June, while Spurgin moved along the Ganges, held back a few days to co-ordinate with Havelock.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kaye |first1=John |last2=Malleson |first2=George Bruce |title=Kaye's and Malleson's History of the Indian Mutiny of 1857-8 |date=16 December 2010 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-108-02324-5 |page=207 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TogAVyystu0C&pg=PA207 |language=en}}</ref>

On 3 July, on the steamer ''Brahmaputra'', Spurgin set off along the river for Kanpur, having to forage for fuel on the way.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dodd |first1=George |title=The history of the Indian revolt, and of the expeditions to Persia, China, and Japan, 1856-7-8 [signed G.D.]. |date=1859 |publisher=éditeur non identifié |page=249 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwYUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA249 |language=en}}</ref> The memoirs of [[Francis Cornwallis Maude]], who calls the steamer ''Burrampoota'' and other variations, gives its captain as Dickson of the [[East India Company Marine]]. There were two Fusiliers lieutenants, Nelson Henry Arnold and Bailie (Bailey), both of whom died in the campaign according to Maude (not clear in the latter case), and an army surgeon. (Lieutenant W. S. Bailey had been shot on 13 June.)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Maude |first1=Francis Cornwallis |last2=Sherer |first2=John Walter |title=Memories of the Mutiny |date=1894 |publisher=& Sydney, Remington & Company |page=74|volume=I |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WXgeAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA74 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lieutenant N. H. Arnold |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/67523 |website=Imperial War Museums |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Annand |first1=A. McK. |title=Indian Mutiny Letters of Lieutenant William Hargood, 1st Madras Fusiliers |journal=Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research |date=1965 |volume=43 |issue=176 |page=197 note |jstor=44226401 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44226401 |issn=0037-9700}}</ref> The vessel carried a number of Madras Fusiliers, two nine-pounder guns, and 20 invalided gunners.<ref>{{cite book |title=History of the Organization, Equipment, and War Services of the Regiment of Bengal Artillery |date=1895 |publisher=H.S. King and Company |page=362 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W8BBAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA362 |language=en}}</ref> It proceeded in parallel with Havelock's advance on land, some {{convert|5|miles}} away, towing five boats of provisions, and able to average just {{convert|1|knot}} along an unfamiliar waterway. On 6 July it came under fire from the bank, requiring an engagement with a landing party. On 7 July a fort with guns was bombarded. On 11 July the steamer anchored, on Havelock's orders, and was attacked by artillery. Rebel boats massed for a crossing but were destroyed, and the rebel leader submitted to Spurgin.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Maude |first1=Francis Cornwallis |last2=Sherer |first2=John Walter |title=Memories of the Mutiny |date=1894 |publisher=& Sydney, Remington & Company |pages=75–76|volume=I |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WXgeAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA75 |language=en}}</ref>

On 9 July Neill sent a telegram to [[Charles Canning, 1st Earl Canning|Charles Canning]], in which he emphasised that Spurgin was following orders, and that the steamer was underpowered at {{convert|30|hp}}. He said the river route to Kanpur was vital, and Havelock should be told so. Renaud was advancing on [[Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh|Fatehpur]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Commons |first1=Great Britain Parliament House of |title=Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons |date=1857 |publisher=Ordered to be printed |page=109 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H6tbAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA3-PA109 |language=en}}</ref> Jwala Prasad for the rebel leader [[Tatya Tope]] sought battle there on 12 July, as Renaud and Havelock made rendezvous.<ref>{{cite book |title=Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers: Fatehpur |date=1980 |publisher=Government of Uttar Pradesh |page=32 |language=en}}</ref> A later newspaper report stated that Spurgin was present at this major action of the Awadh campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001394/18950216/067/0013 |work=Army and Navy Gazette |date=16 February 1895|page=13}}</ref>

Kanpur was taken by Havelock on 17 July.<ref name="Neill"/> Spurgin's diary makes it clear that, in retaliation for rebel atrocities, sepoys were shot in Kanpur out of hand.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Saha |first1=Panchanan |title=1857 Revolt: British Response |date=2008 |publisher=Biswabiksha |isbn=978-81-901959-6-6 |page=77 |language=en}}</ref>

On 22 July, Spurgin was appointed a staff officer to Neill at Kanpur.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Indian News and Chronicle of Eastern Affaires: 1857 |date=1857 |page=594 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tHlNAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA594 |language=en}}</ref> On 31 July he replied to a letter from Captain Simpson, [[Deputy Assistant Adjutant General|DAAG]] at [[Meerut]] to the west, including an account of the death of [[Sir Hugh Wheeler]] at the [[Satichaura Ghat]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Young |first1=Keith |last2=Norman |first2=Henry Wylie |title=Delhi - 1857; the siege, assault, and capture as given in the diary and correspondence of the late Colonel Keith Young. Edited by Henry Wylie Norman and Mrs. Keith Young, with a memoir and introd. by Henry Wylie Norman |date=1902 |publisher=London W. & R. Chambers |url=https://archive.org/details/delhi1857siegeas00younuoft/page/198/mode/1up}}</ref>

Spurgin acted as [[brigade major]] in the Oudh Field Force (1st Brigade). Neill was killed by a sniper on 25 September, in central [[Lucknow]]. Spurgin recovered the body.<ref name="Neill"/> His manuscript diary include an account of the [[relief of Lucknow]]; copies of diary entries from October and November 1857 are in the [[British Library]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=British Library |title=India During the Raj: Eyewitness Accounts : Diaries and Related Records Held in the British Library, London |date=2004 |publisher=Adam Matthew Publications |isbn=978-1-85711-263-4 |page=82 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sir John Blick Spurgin papers. - British Library |url=https://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?tabs=detailsTab&ct=display&fn=search&doc=IAMS032-002274269&indx=1&recIds=IAMS032-002274269&recIdxs=0&elementId=0&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=&vid=IAMS_VU2&mode=Basic&srt=rank&dscnt=0&vl(freeText0)=032-002274269&dstmp=1639725787901 |website=searcharchives.bl.uk}}</ref> He went on to participate in [[Sir James Outram]]'s operations against the [[Alambagh]] and [[Qaisar Bagh]].<ref name="Obit"/>

Spurgin was promoted to major in July 1858.<ref>{{cite book |title=Colburn's United Service Magazine and Naval and Military Journal |date=1858 |publisher=Henry Colburn |page=638 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5SmF44kFqlEC&pg=PA638 |language=en}}</ref>

==Later life==
In 1859 Spurgin left India.<ref>{{cite book |title=Allen's Indian mail and register of intelligence for British and foreign India: 1859,7/12 |date=1859 |page=713 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XGlDAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA713 |language=en}}</ref> In 1866 he was promoted, from lieutenant-colonel to colonel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brevet |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001681/18660203/040/0006 |work=Naval & Military Gazette and Weekly Chronicle of the United Service |date=3 February 1866|page=6}}</ref> He retired on [[half pay]] for a period, in 1872, from the [[102nd Foot]].<ref>{{cite news |title=From Friday's Gazette |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001681/18721019/024/0010 |work=Naval & Military Gazette and Weekly Chronicle of the United Service |date=19 October 1872|page=10}}</ref>

From 1873 to 1877 Spurgin commanded the 66th sub-district in Ireland.<ref name="WW">{{Who's Who|surname=Spurgin|othernames=Sir John Blick|id=U191139|access-date=17 December 2021}}</ref> In 1877 he was made major-general, and posted to [[Naas]] in Ireland. The Naas Barracks was the future [[regimental depot]] of the [[Royal Dublin Fusiliers]]. It was in 1881 that Spurgin's old regiment, from 1861 correctly the 102nd (Royal Madras) Fusiliers, was merged with the former [[Royal Bombay Fusiliers]] (103rd), to form the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.<ref>{{cite news |title=To be Major-Generals |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000587/18770915/018/0008 |work=Broad Arrow |date=15 September 1877|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Farmer |first1=John S. |title=The Regimental Records of the British Army |date=3 August 2020 |publisher=BoD – Books on Demand |isbn=978-3-7524-0178-3 |page=280 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dzH1DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA280 |language=en}}</ref> In 1880 he was given the three-year appointment of the command at [[Aldershot]] of the [[1st Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|1st Brigade]]. He had the retirement rank of Lieutenant-General.<ref name="WW"/>

Spurgin was made honorary [[colonel commandant]] of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1895, when Robert Walter M'Leod Fraser moved to the colonelcy of the [[Royal Irish Regiment (1684–1922)|Royal Irish Regiment]].<ref name="WW"/> He died at his home, 167 [[Victoria Street, London]], on 27 November 1903.<ref>{{cite news |title=Society and Personal |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000576/19031224/027/0004 |work=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=24 December 1903|page=4}}</ref>

==Awards and honours==
Spurgin was knighted in the [[1893 Birthday Honours]], being made [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath|KCB]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Birthday Honours |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001394/18930603/071/0015 |work=Army and Navy Gazette |date=3 June 1893|page=15}}</ref> He had previous been made [[Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath|CB]] in 1869, and [[Companion of the Order of the Star of India|CSI]] in 1871.<ref name="WW"/>

==Family==
In December 1848, at [[St Pancras New Church]], Spurgin married Emma, third daughter of Henry Wakefield; she died in 1886 at age 60.<ref name="Standard"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Deaths |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000369/18860529/131/0005 |work=Reading Mercury |date=29 May 1886|page=5}}</ref> Of their children:

*John Henry Spurgin, only son, was an officer in the [[Scots Fusiliers]]. He married in 1887 Beatrice Emma Wingrove, daughter of Drummond Wingrove.<ref>{{cite news |title=Totton, May 4 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000495/18870504/035/0003 |work=Hampshire Advertiser |date=4 May 1887|page=3}}</ref>
*Emma Louisa (died 1887 or 1891) married in 1877 Peter Aubertin.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Walford |first1=Edward |title=The county families of the United Kingdom; or, Royal manual of the titled and untitled aristocracy of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland .. |date=1919 |publisher=London : R. Hardwicke |page=47 |url=https://archive.org/details/countyfamiliesof591919walf/page/47/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Fox-Davies |first1=Arthur Charles |title=Armorial Families: A Directory of Gentlemen of Coat-armour |date=1910 |publisher=T.C. & E.C. Jack |page=54 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M2VHAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA54 |language=en}}</ref>


==Notes==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spurgin, John Blick}}
[[Category:1821 births]]
[[Category:1893 deaths]]
[[Category:British East India Company Army officers]]
[[Category:British Army officers]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of the Star of India]]
[[Category:English diarists]]

John Blick Spurgin - Revision history

Bot at 15:49, 27 June 2022