Anthony John Spooner was the son of John Henry and Henrietta (Wade) Spooner of 42 Lea road, Waltham Abbey, Essex (the road no longer exists). Tony tried to enlist at age 14 whilst working for Jessop and Goff, Solicitors, but was sent home.

He volunteered for Airborne Forces from The Middlesex Regiment. He successfully completed para training at RAF Ringway on course number 75 from 26 July to 6 August 1943. His course report stated “Reliable, fearless, a good jumper”.

He was posted to 13 Para, Int Section and later, having volunteered for Special Air Service was posted to B Squadron, 1st Special Air Service Regiment, Army Air Corps.

31 Allied military personnel, including Anthony Spooner, aged 21, met their deaths at the hands of the German armed forces in the Bois de Guron, near Rom, Deux-Sevres, France on or about 7 July 1944. Anthony was eventually buried in Rom Communal Cemetery, Southern France.