Selected Biographies

Sparrow, Albert Edward – Born: Faversham, Kent on 12.11.1886.[1]  Parents: James Robert Sparrow of Long Melford (Grocer) and Emma Olive [née White].  Family Connections: Brother to James Sparrow [b1882], Percy George Sparrow [b1884], Harry Sparrow [b1889], Sidney Frank Sparrow [b1894] and Herbert Sparrow [b1896].  Home: Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent (1891 to 1901), servant to Colonel James Richardson of 32 St Marys, York, Yorkshire (1911), 8 Allan Street, York (1921 to 1939).  Occupation: Chauffeur (1911), Fitter’s Labourer (1921), Lorry and Tractor Driver (1939).  Married: Christina Grant Hamilton in 1918.  Service Record: Albert is registered as a Soldier at the time of his marriage in August 1918 although no definitive record has been found to identify his unit.  Died: York, Yorkshire in 1966.

Sparrow, Charlie – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 25.11.1881.[2]  Parents: Samuel Sparrow (Coconut Mat Weaver) and Ellen ‘Nellie’ [née Whittle] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Nephew of George Sparrow [b1853] and brother-in-law of Garfield Adams [b1888] and Charles Harry Rule [b1876].  Home: Westgate Lane, Long Melford (1891), Cranmore Hill Long Melford (1901) to [1965].  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1901 to 1911), Wood Carter (1921), Agricultural Labourer (1939).  Married: Hannah Lilly in 1911.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in October 1916, Charles Pick of Ford Hall, Long Melford applied for Charles’s exemption, which was refused.[3]  Although no definitive military record has been found, he may have been conscripted as Pte.35597 with 4^th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own [Yorkshire Regiment] [Green Howards].  The Battalion saw action on the Somme in 1916, and during the Arras Offensive and the Third Battles of Ypres in 1917.[4]  Died: Newmarket, Suffolk on 28.7.1965.[5]

Sparrow, George – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1853.  Parents: George Sparrow (Agricultural Labourer) and Marie [née Blythe].  Family Connections: Uncle of Charlie Sparrow [b1881].  Home: Cranfield Farm Cottages, Long Melford (1861 and 1871), Westgate Street/Lane, Long Melford (1881 to 1911).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1881 to 1911).  Married: Eliza Wicks in 1896.  Service Record: George was chosen as the Working Men’s Representative on the Melford Military Service Tribunal, holding this post until the end of the War.[6]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1927.

Sparrow, Harry – Born: Faversham, Kent on 13.6.1889.[7]  Parents: James Robert Sparrow of Long Melford (Grocer) and Emma Olive [née White].  Family Connections: Brother to James Sparrow [b1882], Percy George Sparrow [b1884], Albert Edward Sparrow [b1886], Sidney Frank Sparrow [b1894] and Herbert Sparrow [b1896].  Home: 70 Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent (1891 to 1901), 54 Orchard Road, Southsea, Hampshire (1911), Cecil Street, Margate, Kent (1921), 2 Cannon Street, Dover, Kent (1939).  Occupation: Professional Footballer (1911), Club Steward at the Margate Constitutional Club (1921), Issuer attached to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (1939).  Married: Rose Edith Gregory in 1911.  Service Record: No definitive First World War record has been found.

Sparrow, Harry Arthur Wardley – Born: Ipswich, Suffolk on 11.11.1883.[8]  Parents: Harry Sparrow (Railway Telegraph Linesman) and Amelia Mary Ann [née Wardley].  Home: Queens Terrace, Newton Road, Sudbury, Suffolk (1891), 38 Friars Street, Sudbury (1901), Marshall Villas, New Road, Sutton Bridge, Holbeach, Lincolnshire (1911) to [1919], 156 Tenison Road, Cambridge (1939) to [1944].  Occupation: Solicitor’s Clerk (1901), Granite Merchant’s Clerk (1911), Clerk [1916], Contractor’s Clerk (1939).  Married: Edith Charlotte Bullingbrook in 1910.  Service Record: Harry was conscripted on 1.8.1916 as Pte.S4/217053 with ‘K’ Supply Company, Army Service Corps.  Due to his defective eyesight, he was only considered fit for Home Service and was transferred to 369 Company Attest Commissariat and in December 1916 was transferred to 793 [Horse Transport] Company, ASC.  On 13.3.1918 he was mentioned in a list from the Secretary of State for his valuable service rendered during the War.  By the time of his discharge in February 1919 he had attained the rank of Sergeant.[9]  Died: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire on 5.2.1944.[10]

Sparrow, Herbert ‘Bertie’ – Born: Faversham, Kent on 15.1.1896.[11]  .  Parents: James Robert Sparrow of Long Melford (Grocer) and Emma Olive [née White].  Family Connections: Brother to James Sparrow [b1882], Percy George Sparrow [b1884], Albert Edward Sparrow [b1886], Harry Sparrow [b1889] and Sidney Frank Sparrow [b1894].  Home: 70 Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent (1901), 124 Whitstable Road, Faversham (1911 to 1921), Southport Villa, Lady Lane, Faversham [1922], 1 Crowland Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex (1939).  Occupation: Draper’s Assistant (1911), Clothier’s Assistant (1921), Outfitter [1922], Head Storekeeper (1939).  Married: Elsie Ellen Alexander in 1922.  Service Record: Bertie enlisted on 17.1.1915 into the Army, his unit however is not known.  He was posted to India from 8.2.1916 to 29.11.1917, then briefly to Mesopotamia before transferring on 5.12.1917 to the Royal Flying Corps as Aircraft Mechanic N^o.148738, then on 1.4.1918 to the Royal Air Force, receiving his discharge in November 1919.[12]  Died: Hillingdon, Middlesex in 1966.

Sparrow, James – Born: Faversham, Kent on 2.9.1882.[13]  Parents: James Robert Sparrow of Long Melford (Grocer) and Emma Olive [née White].  Family Connections: Brother to Percy George Sparrow [b1884], Albert Edward Sparrow [b1886], Harry Sparrow [b1889], Sidney Frank Sparrow [b1894] and Herbert Sparrow [b1896].  Home: 70 Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent (1891 to 1901), 91 Horsecroft Road, Boxmoor, Hertfordshire (1911), 31 Apsley End, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire [1917], 16 Priory Road, Southampton, Hampshire (1921), 23 Winton Street, Southampton (1939).  Occupation: Bookbinder (1901), Vellum Binder (1911), Bookbinder (1921 to 1939).  Married: Louisa Florence Goodman in 1910.  Service Record: James was conscripted on 19.11.1915 but not mobilised until 14.9.1917 as Dvr. T/331132 of 666^th [Horse Transport] Company, Army Service Corps, being posted to France on 6.1.1918 and receiving his discharge in September 1919.[14]  Died: Southampton, Hampshire in 1962.

Sparrow, Percy George – Born: Faversham, Kent on 13.2.1884.[15]  Parents: James Robert Sparrow of Long Melford (Grocer) and Emma Olive [née White].  Family Connections: Brother to James Sparrow [b1882], Albert Edward Sparrow [b1886], Harry Sparrow [b1889], Sidney Frank Sparrow [b1894] and Herbert Sparrow [b1896].  Home: 70 Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent (1891 to 1901), 239 Brighton Road, South Croydon, Surrey (1911), 12 Brigstock Road, Croydon (1921), The Valley Dairy, High Street, North Elham, Kent (1939).  Occupation: Labourer [1901], Miller’s Carrier (1911), Dairy Manager (1921 to 1939).  Married: Louisa Kirven née Seymour in 1904.  Service Record: Before 1901 Percy was a member of 1^st Battalion, East Kent Volunteer Artillery.  In 1901 he enlisted as Gdn.4162 with 3^rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, purchasing his discharge in 1904.  During the Great War he was conscripted as Gnr.179225 with the Royal Garrison Artillery.[16]  Died: Folkstone, Kent in 1959.

Sparrow, Sidney Frank [MSM]– Born: Faversham, Kent on 4.8.1894.[17]  Parents: James Robert Sparrow of Long Melford (Grocer) and Emma Olive [née White].  Family Connections: Brother to James Sparrow [b1882], Percy George Sparrow [b1884], Albert Edward Sparrow [b1886], Harry Sparrow [b1889] and Herbert Sparrow [b1896].  Home: 70 Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent (1901), Whitstable Road, Faversham (1911), 28 Cyprus Road, Faversham [1916], 21 Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent (1921), 20 Pinnocks Avenue, Gravesend (1939).  Occupation: Grocer’s Assistant (1911 to 1921), Stores Foreman (1939).  Married: Clara Edith Horton in 1913.  Service Record: Sidney enlisted on 3.6.1915 as Pte.3005, later 270432 with 10^th Battalion, East Kent Regiment [The Buffs] rising to the rank of Sergeant by March 1918.  He was posted to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force from 11.1.1917 and on 29.4.1918 to France, receiving his discharge in April 1919.[18]  In 1919 Sergeant Sparrow was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal ‘in recognition of valuable services rendered with the Armies in France and Flanders’.[19]  Died: Gravesend, Kent in 1988.

Related Biographies

Adams, Garfield – Born: Glemsford, Suffolk on 7.10.1888.[20]  Parents: Andrew Adams (Coconut Mat Maker) and Laura Maria [née Borley] (Bootmaker).  Family Connections: Brother to Ezra Adams [b1870], Alexander Charles Adams [b1876] and Jesseniah Adams [b1879]; also, uncle of Frederick Charles Adams [b1897] and brother-in-law of Charlie Sparrow of Long Melford [b1882].  Home: Fair Green, Glemsford (1891), Westgate Street, Long Melford (1901), Lower Street, Stanstead, Suffolk (1911), Cranmore Green, Long Melford (1921), 1 Windmill Hill, Long Melford (1939) to [1947].  Occupation: Woodman and Hurdle Maker (1911 to 1939).  Married: Ellen Vera Sparrow of Long Melford in 1910.  Service Record: At the Melford Military Service Tribunal in October 1916 Garfield’s application for exemption was refused.  He was however granted one month grace before conscription.[21]  He attested as Pte.203343 with 1/7^th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own [Middlesex] Regiment, being posted to France as part of 167^th Brigade, 56^th [London] Division, later transferring to 1^st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.[22]  Both battalions saw action during the Somme Offensive in 1916, the Battles of Arras and Third Ypres in 1917, and the Hindenburg Line in 1918.[23]  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 9.6.1947.[24]

Rule, Charles Harry – Born: Nayland, Suffolk on 17.8.1876.[25]  Parents: Charles Rule (Corn Miller) of Langham, Essex (Miller) and Charlotte [née Hume].  Family Connections: Brother-in-law of Charlie Sparrow of Long Melford [b1882].  Home: Vicarage Lane, Great Cornard, Suffolk (1891 to 1901), 30 Princess St, Parkeston, Essex (1911), 1 Foster Street, Parkeston (1921), Cranmore, Station Lane, Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex (1939) to [1942].  Occupation: Gardener (1891 to 1901), Dock Labourer for the Great Eastern Railway (1911 to 1921), Foreman Docker [1916], Dock Supervisor (1939).  Married: Susan Maria Sparrow of Long Melford in 1899.  Service Record: Charles was conscripted on 16.11.1916 as Spr.213785 with the Inland Water Transport Corps, Royal Engineers, being posted to France as L/Cpl.WR/314987, receiving his discharge in May 1919.[26]  Died: Babergh Place Farm, Great Waldingfield, Suffolk on 27.9.1942.[27]

Smith, Clifford Cyril – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 26.5.1892.[28]  Parents: William Durwin Smith (Assistant Manager at Horsehair Factory) and Laura [née Downey].  Family Connections: Half-brother to Edward Stanley Smith [b1899]; also, nephew of Frederick Durwin Smith [b1869], Albert Durwin Smith [b1870], Oswald Charles Durwin Smith [b1872], Walter Henry Smith [b1874], Arthur Smith [b1876] and Edward Durwin Smith [b1877], and brother-in-law of Arthur Hansford [b1887].  Home: Hall Street, Long Melford (1901 and 1911), 9 Leopold Street, Lambeth, London (1921), 285 Cavendish Road, Balham, Surrey (1939) to [1955].  Occupation: Grocers Assistant (1911) and [1914], Grocer (1921), Grocer and Provision Dealer and an Air Raid Warden (1939).  Married: Edith Maude Sparrow of Long Melford in 1919.  Service Record: Clifford enlisted on 2.9.1914 as Gnr.3939 with ‘A’ Battery, LXXXIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, being posted to France from 26.7.1915, as part of 18^th [Eastern] Division.  In July 1916 he was promoted to Acting Bombardier, seeing action throughout the five months of the Somme Offensive and at Arras the following spring.  In May Clifford contracted nephrites while in the trenches, severe enough for him to be hospitalized in England from August to November 1917.  The effect on his system was so debilitating that he was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged on 25.2.1918 as ‘permanently unfit’.[29]  Died: St John’s Hospital, Battersea, London on 5.2.1955.[30]

Notes – [1] 1939 Register.  [2] Baptism Register 5.3.1882, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [3] For the Tribunal’s ruling see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 11.10.1916. [4] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [5] National Probate Calendar.  [6] For Tribunal reference see Suffolk and Essex Free Press 1.3.1916.  [7] 1939 Register.  [8] 1939 Register.  [9] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363].[10] National Probate Calendar.  [11] 1939 Register.  [12] Royal Air Force Airman’s Records [AIR 79/1376].  [13] 1939 Register.  [14] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [15] 1939 Register.  [16] Soldiers’ Documents and Pension Claims, First World War [WO 364].  [17] 1939 Register.  [18] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363].  [19] The Faversham and North East Kent News 25.1.1919.  [20] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Long Melford. [21] For the Tribunal’s ruling see SEFP 11.10.1916. [22] For details of 1/7^th and 1^st Middlesex’s movements see War Diaries [TNA – WO 95/2950/1] and [TNA – WO 95/2426/1]. [23] Medal Roll [WO 329] and Medal Index Card [WO 372].  [24] Place and date of death from the National Probate Calendar.  [25] 1939 Register.  [26] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [27] National Probate Calendar.  [28] Date of birth from Admission Register 12.5.1896, St Catherines Infants School, Long Melford. [29] For details of 84^th Brigade RFA’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/2025/2].  See also his Soldiers’ Documents and Pension Claims, First World War [WO 364], Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: 320490], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372]. [30] National Probate Calendar.