Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Second World War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Second World War on The Wartime Memories Project Website
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207597
Sgt. George Henry "Ned" Sparkes
Royal New Zealand Air Force 487 squadron
from:Kennington, London
(d.3rd May 1943)
George Sparkes was my great uncle, my Nan's brother. He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves and was attached to 487 Squadron, a New Zealand squadron. On 3rd May, 1943, a raid was undertaken on a power station in Holland. Unfortunately the Enemy was alerted to the raid before they got near their target and nearly all the planes were shot down. There were 12 planes involved in the raid, one had to turn back before reaching Holland because of mechanical failure. Of the remaining 11 planes only one managed to get back home. George was the rear gunner, and he and the pilot were killed, the navigator and wireless operator survived and were taken prisoner.
George had only been married for 6 months, to Olive. She remained close to her in-laws and was my godmother.