Joseph Edward SPARKS

SPARKS, Joseph Edward

Service Numbers: 702, Officer
Enlisted: 12 November 1914, Cairns, Queensland
Last Rank: Second Lieutenant
Last Unit: 15th Infantry Battalion
Born: Ipswich, Queensland, 5 December 1894
Home Town: Cairns, Cairns, Queensland
Schooling: Townsville Grammar School
Occupation: Clerk
Died: Natural causes, Kensington, New South Wales, 18 September 1944, aged 49 years
Cemetery: Macquarie Park Cemetery & Crematorium, North Ryde, New South Wales
Memorials: Bank of New South Wales Roll of Honour Book, Cairns Boys' State School
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World War 1 Service

12 Nov 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 702, 15th Infantry Battalion, Cairns, Queensland
20 Nov 1914: Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant
22 Dec 1914: Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 702, 15th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: ''
22 Dec 1914: Embarked AIF WW1, Sergeant, 702, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Melbourne
25 Apr 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 702, 15th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli
14 May 1915: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 15th Infantry Battalion
19 May 1915: Wounded AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 15th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, Shrapnel wounds (left thigh, right foot, and left hand - amputated)
30 Nov 1915: Discharged AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 15th Infantry Battalion, Permanently incapacitated

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Biography contributed by Paul Trevor

"Second Lieutenant J. Sparks wounding happened at Gallipoli on 19 May 1915. His records indicate that he was hit by two hand grenades, one of them being more shallow than the other. The first resulted in his arm being amputated and the other burst around his legs. This resulted in extensive laceration wounds in the legs and feet. He had two bullets removed from his foot on 2 June, had a small piece of steel removed from his left toe on 15 June 1915 and a large piece from his sole. A piece of casing was removed from his leg two days later. He was received from HMH Galeka on 21 May 1915 shown as having had his left hand amputated and shrapnel wounds to his thigh and right foot. He returned to Melbourne aboard the transport Ballarat on 10 August 1915 and invalidated out of the army. However, he clearly moved quickly back into the workforce." - SOURCE (www.aussiegenes.net)

"HEROES OF THE DARDANELLES.

Lieutenant J. E Sparks, whose name appears in the returned wounded, is a trainee officer. He passed out of the ranks of senior cadets and citizen forces at Cairns as a commissioned officer of E Company, 2nd Infantry, Kennedy Regiment. Lieutenant Sparks was an officer in the Anstralian Naval and Military Expedition to New Guinea under the command of Major Aitken. On the return of that Expedition he enlisted as a sergeant in the 15th Battalion, and was wounded at Gallipoli." - SOURCE (nla.gov.au)

"A DARDANELLES HERO. RETURN TO CAIRNS OF LIEUT. SPARKS.

Lieutenant Sparks, who was injured in the Dardanelles fighting, and the first wounded soldier to return to Cairns, arrived by the Adelaide Coy's steamer Wollowra on Sunday morning. The vessel as she steamed up the channel, between 6.30 and 7 o'clock, was gaily decorated with flags and bunting, and presented quite an attractive spectacle. The Wollowra swung in midstream opposite the concrete wharf, and soon afterwards berthed.

There was a very large gathering of all sections of the community to welcome home Lieutenant Sparks, and the latter must have left quite flattered with the reception accorded him; but nevertheless it is only fit and proper that Cairns people should extend a hearty greeting to those who have gone to fight the battles of the Empire, and return once more to their hearths and homes.

As the Wollowra was berthing, the Cairns Citizens' Band gave a fine rendering of "Home Sweet Home." Everybody was anxious for a glimpse of the returning soldier, and it was not long before he was located, standing on the aft portion of the vessel, dressed in full uniform, and waving to the many friends , he saw on the wharf.
The Band then gave a vigorous endering of ''Rule Britannia."

As soon as the gangway was lowered, the Mayor (Ald. Dillon) accompanied by Mr. A. B. Gibson, P.M., Senior Sergt. Hawkes, Detective Constable Meldon, press representatives, and others, boarded the steamer, and shook hands with Lieutenant Sparks. The latter was, disinclined to say anything of his war experience then. Speaking to a representative of the "Post" he remarked, "I am glad to see Cairns again, but am sorry to have had to come back just at present. You know what I mean."

The Mayor then led Lieutenant Sparks to the gangway head, and called for three cheers for the returned soldier. These were, heartily given by the large crowd on the wharf.

The Mayor said: Lieutenant Sparks, it is the earnest wish of the people of Cairns to have voiced, to you their sincere regards for you, as well as for those who have gone to the front. I have been deputed, as the present Mayor, to convey to you their highest appreciation of your services, and to express their sorrow that you should have come back wounded, (Hear, hear). Of course these things cannot be helped, and in war we have to meet the inevitable, so to speak. Our boys made a name not only for Cairns, but for the whole of Australia. (Hear, hear), and their exploits at the Dardanelles and Gallipoli will go down to posterity. It will be sanctified by the blood of many young Australians. (Hear, hear). Our young country has poured out its very best to help the
British Empire and her Allies in this great fight. Amongst all the
scattered peoples of the British race the world over, none have done their duty much better than our Australians. (Hear, hear). All the British dominions have nobly responded to the Empire's call and it is pleasing to find that they have won such laurels of fame. I wish it to be understood that this is not a big gathering to welcome Mr. Sparks as Lieutenant. We are gathered here to welcome him as Soldier Sparks. (Applause) It is not for his rank, I think however, must be very pleasing for the citizens of Cairns to find that one of their sons, a young man like this God Bless him - has been able to obtain the rank of Lieutenant. (Hear, here). It is the sincere wish of the people of Cairns as a whole that every soldier that returns whether he be from Cairns or the back country, should receive a cordial reception, and no doubt that it will happen. One thing I do feel proud of and that is the name which Australians have earned in the Dardanelles. (Applause) I will now ask you to give three more cheers for Lieutenant Sparks. The wharf resounded again with hearty cheers.

In response to a general demand, Lieutenant Sparks then spoke. He said: Mr. Mayor, fellow citizens of Cairns. It is impossible for me
just at present to properly thank you for the hearty welcome home
you have given me this morning. Simply cannot express my thanks in words, but I do appreciate your welcome. I hope you will understand me. I cannot say any more, but I feel deeply what you have done for me. (Cheers). The Band rendered the "National Anthem".

Lieutenant Sparks then proceeded down the gangway, and on reaching the wharf was besieged by the large gathering who were all anxious to meet him. After conversing with as many as possible, he left for home with his relatives and friends." - SOURCE (nla.gov.au)

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

JOSEPH EDWARD SPARKS, son of Mr. E. G. and Mrs. E. Sparks, was born on 5th December, 1894, at Ipswich, Queensland, and received his education at the Townsville Grammar School. He entered the Bank’s service on 15th April, 1912, at Cairns.

He enlisted in the A.I.F. on 14th November, 1914, embarking as a member of the 15th Battalion, 4th Brigade, for Gallipoli, and was present at the Landing on 25th April, 1915. He was promoted to the rank of second-lieutenant on 10th May, 1915, and on 19th of the same month he was wounded so severely as to incapacitate him for further active service. Accordingly he returned to Australia and was discharged.

Source - Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

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