lizzie1 Posted 14 August , 2008 Share Posted 14 August , 2008 This is a picture of my Grandfather George Henry Sparkes during WW1. I dont think he saw active service or left the UK. He was from South Wales. Family stories have it that he survived a burst appendix because he was a soldier and then treated with penicillin - but I dont think the dates would fit for that? If anyone could tell me what regt he was in, where he was stationed or what he might have done it would be great. He went on to become a headmaster of a boys grammar school in Porthcawl and an organist, conductor and composer of some repute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 14 August , 2008 Share Posted 14 August , 2008 To start with he was in the RAMC and when the photo was taken was a lance corporal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted 14 August , 2008 Share Posted 14 August , 2008 Hi Lizzie, I do beleive your Grandfather is in the uniform of the Royal Army Medical Corps, RAMC, the shoulder cross is the clincher. Cheers, Rob Gosh the General beat me by milliseconds! Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 14 August , 2008 Share Posted 14 August , 2008 Yep and I was wearing the same insignia about 60 years after that photo was taken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzie1 Posted 14 August , 2008 Author Share Posted 14 August , 2008 Medical Corp - wow - wouldnt have guessed from what I remembered of him! might explain the appendix story though I guess. If he stayed in Britain would that have been supplies mostly do you think? or looking after the soldiers who returned? Thankyou - at least I have somewhere to start now. Liz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett361975 Posted 14 August , 2008 Share Posted 14 August , 2008 This is the only G SPARKS R.A.M.C I can find on the NA (not saying it is him but the only one I can find) CLICK TO SEE MEDAL INDEX CARD REF AT N/A Medal card of Sparks, G Royal Army Medical Corps Service number 24197 Acting Serjeant Do you have a service number for him Liz or his medals? (which would give us his service number) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzie1 Posted 14 August , 2008 Author Share Posted 14 August , 2008 Sorry its taken so long. Couldnt get it to upload! I found this photo and it has this on the back. "second row sitting. 5th from the left" I think it says 3rd WFA Glee Party 1916. Sorry I dont have a service number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted 14 August , 2008 Share Posted 14 August , 2008 What a great photo Wonder what Glee Party means Liam Strange thing is though he is the only one who seems to have a cane in the picture. i wonder whether he was recovering from illness when the second photo was taken Liam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzie1 Posted 14 August , 2008 Author Share Posted 14 August , 2008 What a great photo Wonder what Glee Party means Liam Strange thing is though he is the only one who seems to have a cane in the picture. i wonder whether he was recovering from illness when the second photo was taken Liam Hes the one next to the gentleman with the cane. Not sure what he is holding though - a stick/ baton? Its weird but he always had a conductors baton with him later in life! Liz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 14 August , 2008 Share Posted 14 August , 2008 Looks like a 1 to me - 1st Welsh Field Ambulance? A Glee Party could be a choir, especially if they are Welsh. Might even explain the baton. There's a George Henry Sparkes born 1892 in Glamorgan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzie1 Posted 14 August , 2008 Author Share Posted 14 August , 2008 Thats him Looking at the original its definitely a 3 then an apostrophe and a very faint "17" ? and the 1 is slightly lower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzie1 Posted 14 August , 2008 Author Share Posted 14 August , 2008 Looks like a 1 to me - 1st Welsh Field Ambulance? A Glee Party could be a choir, especially if they are Welsh. Might even explain the baton. There's a George Henry Sparkes born 1892 in Glamorgan. The glee party seems to have been a "sing song" or sort of talent show according to accounts I can find on the web so could have incorporated music knowing us welsh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzie1 Posted 14 August , 2008 Author Share Posted 14 August , 2008 Got to go now. Thanks to everyone tonight its been really interesting. Brought back lots of memories. I'll keep searching through to see if I can find a number. Liz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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