When the Japanese launched their invasion of Malaya on 8 December 1941, Spooner initially had two immediate superiors: Admiral Sir Tom Phillips (Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet) and Vice-Admiral Geoffrey Layton (Senior Naval Officer, Malaya).
När japanerna satte sin invasion av Malackahalvönn i bruk den 8 december 1941 hade Spooner två direkt överordnade: amiral Sir Tom Philips (C-in-C Eastern Fleet) och viceamiral Geoffrey Layton (Senior Naval Officer, Malaya).