Bill Sparks
William Edward "Bill" Sparks | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 September 1922 Clerkenwell, London, England |
| Died | 30 November 2002 (aged 80) Alfriston, East Sussex, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | Royal Marines |
| Rank | Marine |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal |
William Edward Sparks
Operation Frankton
Sparks was born in Bartholomew Buildings, Seward Street, Clerkenwell, London and joined the Royal Marines upon the outbreak of World War II. He volunteered for hazardous service as a way of avenging his brother Benny who had died on the cruiser HMS Naiad.
During the night of 7 December 1942, ten Royal Marines set out in five canoes on Operation Frankton. They caused considerable damage to five ships, but six of the men were shot by the Germans and two died of hypothermia after their canoe capsized.[1] Sparks and Major Herbert "Blondie" Hasler were pursued through France and Spain by the Germans for three months before they reached safety in Gibraltar.
When Hasler flew home, Sparks was sent back to England under arrest, as no one in Gibraltar could corroborate his story. On arrival, he escaped from the military police and went to see his father, who had been told that he was missing in action. Two days later, he reported to the Admiralty and was about to be arrested again, when he slipped out to Combined Operations Headquarters, where he was greeted with astonishment.
During the rest of the war, he served in
as a police lieutenant, and then as a bus inspector.Sparks lived for many years in
Sparks was survived by his second wife, a daughter and three sons, one of whom, Terry Sparks, became a
Honours and awards
- 29 June 1943 - Distinguished Service Medal For courage and enterprise: Marine William Edward Sparks, Ply.X.3664..[2]
- There is a blue plaque to Sparks on the council house he occupied after the war in Poundfield Road, Loughton, Essex.
Further reading
- ISBN 978-1-85695-125-8[3]
- Bill Sparks (2008), Cockleshell Commando, Pen & Sword – ISBN 978-1-84415-894-2[4]
References
- ISBN 978-1445605951.
- ^ "No. 36072". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 June 1943. p. 2946.
- ^ The Last of the Cockleshell Heroes: A World War Two Memoir, Google books
- ^ Cockleshell Commando, Amazon
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
