Spensley Burns was born 1889 in Coundon, Co. Durham. He was the son of John Burns and Margaret Ann Spensley. John Burns was a hairdresser , son of James Burns, coal miner of Glasgow.

In the 1911 census the family were living at 36-37 Collingwood Street, Coundon. Spensley was a hairdresser's assistant.

Spensley served in WW1, Private C1522 of the King's Royal Rifle Corps. Spensley was wounded and spent a year in hospital.

His brother James Burns also served in WW1.

Spensley is the great uncle of Keith Bailey.