Private Wilfred Sparkes
| Date of Birth | c. 1899 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Date of Death | 28 July 1918 |
| Service Number | S/24656 |
| Military Service | 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders |
| Merton Address | 1 Kingswood Road, Wimbledon |
| Local Memorial | Rutlish School, Merton |
Additional Information
Wilfred was born in Wimbledon in July 1899. His father, (Alfred) James Sparkes, was born in Birmingham and worked in the steel and copperplate industry. His mother was Flora Jane Sparkes. Wilfred was the fifth of six children, having one older brother and four sisters.
The family lived in Kingswood Road when Wilfred was growing up – number 5 on the 1901 census and number 1 by 1911. He attended Rutlish School from 1911 to 1914. By the end of the war they were living at 148 Hartfield Road.
Wilfred joined the 8th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders as a private, service number s/24656. The regiment took part in the first battle of Arras and the Battles of the Marne in July 1918.
Wilfred was killed in action on 28 July 1918 and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, Soissons, Dept de L’Aisne and at Rutlish School.