He initially served as an Embarkation Officer, but was soon posted to the Staff of the 33rd (Infantry) Brigade as its Signals Officer. He was deployed to Gallipoli with the brigade in 1915, and was involved in the successful capture of "Chocolate Hill" by the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment from Ottoman Empire forces during the Battle of Sari Bair. However, the battalion suffered heavy losses and Spring was injured in the action. Upon recovery he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in June 1916, and took command of the 11th (Service) Battalion of the Essex Regiment, which at the time was engaged on the Western Front with the 6th Infantry Division. Whilst in this position Spring presided over a Divisional court martial that sentenced Pte. Harry Farr of the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment to death for cowardice. Spring commanded the 11th (S) Battalion Essex Regiment during the Battle of the Somme, and at the Battle of Cambrai. He was promoted to colonel in 1918. In September 1918 he returned to the 33rd Brigade as its brigadier-general. He was Mentioned in Dispatches five times over the course of the war. He was also awarded the Croix de guerre by the French government.