Career
After an education at Truro Grammar School Spry joined the Royal Navy as a volunteer in 1733. Following the sinking of his ship by the Spanish Navy he was taken prisoner in 1745 but released two months later. He took part in the siege of Pondicherry in India in 1750.
In 1755 he became senior officer at Halifax and in 1758 took part in the successful Siege of Louisbourg.
He was given command of HMS Orford in 1760. In 1762 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, North American Station.
In 1766 he became Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Station returning to England in 1769. He went on to be Portuguese Admiral at Plymouth in 1771.
He lived in Place House in Street Anthony in Roseland, Cornwall, where he died in 1775.