Major-General James Spens CB CMG (30 March 1853 — 19 August 1934) was an English first-class cricketer and an officer in the British Army.
He served with distinction during the Second Boer War and later commanded a military district in British India and a Territorial division in the United Kingdom.
He retired shortly before the outbreak of the First World War, but returned to service to command the 12th (Eastern) Division, then a training depot and a military district in Egypt.
He was promoted to the brevet rank of colonel during the war, and mentioned in dispatches several times (including by Major General Lord Kitchener on 23 June 1902).
[14][6] After the end of the war in June 1902, he returned to the United Kingdom aboard the SS Dunottar Castle, which arrived at Southampton the following month.
[15] For his service in the war Spens was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the April 1901 South Africa Honours list.
[6][21] On the outbreak of the First World War, however, Spens was recalled to service, and given command of the newly raised 12th (Eastern) Division in the New Armies in August 1914.