I am including Victor Sparkes as he is on the Absent Voters’ List for Saxlingham Nethergate. I do not understand why he is not on the war memorial. He returned to live in Saxlingham and was living here until at least 1926.
Victor was born on 27 October 1897 in Botesdale, Suffolk. His parents were William Arthur and Elizabeth Sparkes. His father was a miller and an operator of a stationary engine.
He had five siblings
Hetty born 13 February1892
Claude Clement Arthur born 5 February 1894
Edith M born 16 December 1895
Doris Jane born 8 January 1900
Wilfred R born 14 April 1904
In 1901 the family lived in Sneath road, Aslacton, Norfolk. The family moved to live in Saxlingham Thorpe, and in 1911 the family were living at The Mill, Saxlingham Thorpe. Victor was still at school.
In 1911 Claude was working for the Reverend Huntley Curtois at the Vicarage, Croxton, Thetford. He was employed as a page.
The rest of the family were living in Saxlingham Thorpe. Hetty was employed as an Elementary School teacher. Two years later she married Ernest Madgett and moved to live in Hempnall. They had a son Raymond who died as a Japanese prisoner of war whilst working on the Burma railway in Thailand in 1943.
Edith was working as a domestic servant.
Victor’s service records have not survived but it is known that he joined 1/5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. His service number was 242561. The 1/4th and 1/5th Battalions both served in the same brigade and were in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine. For more information about this campaign see the entries for Charles Brighton or William Dade.
Victor was still in the army in 1920 as he is one of the few men on the Absent Voters’ list for that year.
His brother Clement became a licensee in London and in 1930 married Gladys Whessell. Between 1931 and 1934 Victor and his siblings except for Hetty were living in Broadway London.
In 1936 his brother Claude and Gladys ran The Sun public house, 120 Askew Road, Hammersmith. Doris Jane was working there as a barmaid.
At some point Victor and Wilfred moved back to Norfolk.
In 1939 Victor was living with his sister, Hetty Madgett, and her family.They lived at Krons bungalow, Hempnall. He was working as a jobbing gardener. Wilfred was also living at the same address.
Victor died on 2 November 1975. He was living at 18 Church Road, Upper Tasburgh with his brother Wilfred.
He was buried in Newton Flotman Churchyard on 6 November 1975.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-1920
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1920).1921-1926
London Electoral Rolls. 1930-1939
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Burial Records. Newton Flotman
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (1858-1995)
The History of the Norfolk Regiment. Vol.II. – F. Loraine Petre. Norwich: Jarrold and Son Ltd. The Empire Press
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk