Reginald Sparkes

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

348237

Unit at enlistment:

Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Regimental Depot

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Commemorated at:

Grace Anglican Church

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Somerset

Birth city:

Bath

Address at enlistment:

90 Strathcona Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

90 Strathcona Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Clerk

Employer:

Kerby Hotel

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

Wounded

BX October 24, 1916

The wounding of Driver Reginald Sparkes of Brantford, is reported in a noon casualty list.

BX November 13, 1916

Gunner Sparkes on the Wounded List

Mrs. Rosa Milton, 90 Strathcona Avenue, on Saturday afternoon received a telegram stating that her brother, Gunner Reginald Sparkes, was in the Lord Derby War hospital, Warrington, suffering from a contused right leg. Gunner Sparkes was a member of the 11th Battery, Third Brigade, field artillery. He enlisted from Toronto over a year ago, when only 18 years of age, and has been in the trenches since last May. Previous to enlistment he was employed at the Kerby house, in this city. He was rejected here on account of his age, but was not to be deterred from doing his duty and went to Toronto and enlisted.

BX November 16, 1916

Condition Serious

Mrs. A.L. Castle, mother of Gunner Reginald Sparkes, received another telegram on Wednesday stating that her son’s condition was very serious and excitable. This is the fourth communication she has received, the first being on Nov. 2, saying her son was wounded Oct. 12. Gunner Sparkes was employed at the King Edward Hotel, Toronto, before enlisting. He arrived in England, Dec. 27, 1915, and was drafted over to France May 8, 1916. It was stated in error that he had been in the trenches since May. As he enlisted as driver he was supplying the batteries with ammunition before he was transferred to headquarters staff. Later he became a gunner.

BX June 11, 1917

Expected Home

Gunner Reginald Sparkes, writing to his sister, Mrs. Henry Milton, 38 Cayuga Street, under date of May 22 wrote from Lord Derby War hospital, Warrington, Lancashire, that he expected to be home within two weeks. He had a severe wound to his leg, which was shortened two inches and for a long time he was dumb. He went into hospital on October 9, 1916.

BX August 7, 1917

On Way Home

Mrs. Ross Milton, 38 Cayuga Street received word this morning that her brother, Gunner Reginald Sparkes, C.E.F., had reached Halifax, having come over on the ship which went aground at Halifax. He is not likely to reach the city before the weekend. He was incapacitated through shrapnel wounds in the spine and foot. He left Brantford November 16, 1915.

BX October 2, 1917

Back From Hospital

Gunner Sparkes is back at his home here, after being operated on at the Cobourg Military hospital, a silver plate having been substituted for a shattered kneecap. He is able to be around with the aid of a stick. His many friends extended sympathy to him.