SPARKES, William Frederick
| Service Number: | 28802 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | Medium Trench Mortar Batteries |
| Born: | London, England, 1883 |
| Home Town: | Brookvale, Warringah, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 26 April 1949, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Frenchs Forest Cemetery, NSW Section: Ang Row: F Plot: 56 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Gunner, 28802, Medium Trench Mortar Batteries | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Sep 1916: | Involvement Gunner, 28802, Medium Trench Mortar Batteries, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Mashobra embarkation_ship_number: A47 public_note: '' | |
| 14 Sep 1916: | Embarked Gunner, 28802, Medium Trench Mortar Batteries, HMAT Mashobra, Sydney |
Military Medal
Military Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on our positions opposite DERNANCOURT and ALBERT on the 5th April 1918. When the Battery was under very heavy shell fire and his No. 1 had been wounded and evacuated, this Gunner immediately took over the duties of No. 1 and carried on the service of his Howitzer. He remained in charge of the Howitzer till late in the day when an N.C.O. from the Wagon Line took over from him. by his fearless bearing and initiative, this Gunner set a fine example.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918
Submitted 22 December 2016 by Daryl Jones
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Husband of Mrs Maude Lavinia Sparkes, c/o Mrs Wills, opp French's Road, Willoughby, Sydney, New South Wales
Military Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on our positions opposite DERNANCOURT and ALBERT on the 5th April 1918. When the Battery was under very heavy shell fire and his No. 1 had been wounded and evacuated, this Gunner immediately took over the duties of No. 1 and carried on the service of his Howitzer. He remained in charge of the Howitzer till late in the day when an N.C.O. from the Wagon Line took over from him. by his fearless bearing and initiative, this Gunner set a fine example.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918
SPARKES, William Frederick.—April 23, 1949, at Royal North Shore Hospital, relict of Maude Lavinia Sparkes, and loved mother of Maude (Mrs. Prior), aged 66 years. At rest.
Biography contributed by Kathleen Bambridge
28802 - Bdr WF Sparkes MM 11 FA Bde the Military decoration MM is awaiting collection from Victoria Barracks Sydney in November 1919 as they are unable to contact him.
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