Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Mr and Mrs Thomas William Springthorpe of Whitwell, Rutland. He left a widow. He had enlisted as a regular soldier in the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1903, and in 1905 he embarked with his regiment to India, where he completed his three years service. On his return to England he obtained a position as a porter at Skipton station and after about five years he emigrated to Canada. On the outbreak of war he returned from Vancouver, Canada, and being still on the reserve joined his old regiment in September 1914. He embarked for France in November 1914 and was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, France. Prior to leaving Vancouver for England in 1914 a memento, with an address, signed by a number of his neighbours, was presented to him, and in the latter the following was expressed:- “We appreciate the fact that you are to be our representative in the defence of our country, flag and honour. As a neighbour we shall miss your cheerful outlook on life, but when duty calls, manhood must respond.”