SPARKMAN, Richard George
| Service Numbers: | 4230, 7282 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 7 November 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Williamstown, Victoria, Australia, 20 May 1893 |
| Home Town: | Cottesloe, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Cottesloe, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Lewisham, London, England, 1 February 1948, aged 54 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 7 Nov 1914: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, 4230 | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Jan 1917: | Discharged Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, 4230 |
World War 1 Service
| 10 May 1917: | Involvement Private, 7282, 3rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Clan McGillivray embarkation_ship_number: A46 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 May 1917: | Embarked Private, 7282, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Clan McGillivray, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Larna Malone
Richard George Sparkman was born on 20th May, 1893, in Williamstown, Vic. He was the only surviving child of Frank Sparkman and Hannah Sarah Mariah Gee, known as Sarah or Sally. An older sibling had died in infancy. Frank Sparkman died in November, 1898, when Richard George was about 5 years old. His mother, Hannah Sarah Maria Sparkman, moved to WA and in 1902 married Alexander Ranken in Fremantle. By 1914 the family was living in Amherst Rd, West Midland Junction, WA.
On 7th November, 1914, Richard George Sparkman enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy for a period of 7 years. His service commenced on the ship Cerberus as a Stoker class 2. On 27th April, 1915, he moved to the ship Yarra, with a rating of Stoker. He left his service on 30th January, 1917, before the date of expiry, in order to enlist in the AIF. The Naval Board did not claim him for further service.
He travelled to Sydney, NSW, and enlisted in the AIF on 3rd March, 1917. He used the alias 'Thomas Munton' and stated his occupation to be Marine Steward and Station Hand. He listed his mother, Mrs Sarah Ranken, as next-of-kin but described her as a Friend. After an initial period of training he was appointed to 24th Rfts/3rd Battalion, with Service No. 7282. He embarked for overseas per HMAT Clan MacGillivray on 10th May, 1917.
After a period of further training in England, 'Thomas Munton' embarked for France and was TOS 3rd Battalion on 19th December, 1917. He was admitted to the Casualty Clearing Station the following day with PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin). Later he was admitted to hospital in Wimereux, with his condition now described as Pneumonia. He was transferred to hospital in England and admitted to Clandon Park, Guildfird, on 22nd January, 1918. He was discharged from hospital on 11th February. On 5th July, 1918, he re-joined the 3rd Battalion in France.
On 30th November, 1918, he assumed his true name of Richard George Sparkman by Sworn Declaration.
On 9th March, 1919, he was detached for duty with the Australian Army Pay Corps in London. He was promotede T/2/Cpl on 13th June, but reverted to the ranks on 10th September although granted the rank of Hon/2/Cpl. He RTA and Disembarked in Sydney on 17th November, 1919.
In 1920 Richard George Sparkman married Beatrice Amy Pennell in Perth, WA. Following the marriage they travelled to England. Richard George Sparkman died on 1st February, 1948, in Lewisham, London, aged 55. His body was Cremated.