Daughter backs memorial plans for WWII hero (From Echo)
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Daughter backs memorial plans for WWII hero
10:00am Friday 10th February 2012 in Local News By Paul Offord
Bill Sparks – after an appeal in the Echo last week, it emerged the Cockleshell Hero lived on Canvey for 15 years
THE daughter of a former Canvey man who took part in a daring Second World War mission has backed plans for a memorial plaque in his honour.
Bill Sparks was one of a group of ten commandos, known as the Cockleshell Heroes, who paddled canoes 85 miles into France on December 11, 1942, to blow up merchant shipping in the port of Bordeaux.
Bill, who died aged 80 in 2002, used to live on Canvey.
An Echo article about him last week featured an appeal by local historian Janet Penn for confirmation of where he lived.
About a dozen readers contacted her following the article, including Mr Sparks’s daughter Gill, 60, who now lives in Weymouth.
They confirmed Mr Sparks moved to Canvey from Loughton, Essex, in 1971 and originally lived in Maple Way, Canvey, before moving to Almond Walk.
He settled on Canvey with his first wife Violet, who died in 1982.
The war hero eventually got married for a second time to Irene, who has also now died, and it is understood the couple left Canvey in 1986.
Mr Sparks’s daughter Gill backed plans to install a blue plaque in his honour at the Bay Museum, in Western Esplanade, Canvey, which displays military memorabilia.
She said: “All the family are proud of what dad did in the war.
“A plaque was already put up at his old home in Loughton, but I think it’s even nicer if they have this new one in a museum, as they can have extra memorabilia such as photos and information about the Cockleshell Heroes next to it.”
Mrs Penn said: “I knew Bill had lived on Canvey for at least six or seven years, but it turned out he was here for more than double that.
“It turned out he was a long-time Canvey resident so we’re really pleased.”
Mrs Penn hopes the plaque will be funded by Canvey Town Council, which is considering the proposal.
Joan Liddiard, chairman of the town council, said: “We want to honour people from Canvey who have done great things.”
Comments(4)
John T Pharro
says...
2:25pm Fri 10 Feb 12
When you read about people like Abu Qatada think of this country and still takes our money and the liberty we have bought by Bill and his sort doesn't it make you bloody angry?
Brunning999
says...
2:46pm Fri 10 Feb 12
John T Pharro wrote:What he did was great he deserves full recognition.
What a wonderful example people like Bill Sparks are. I am just reading his book "Cockleshell Commando" and what he and the others did on Operation Frankton positively makes you feel humble.
When you read about people like Abu Qatada think of this country and still takes our money and the liberty we have bought by Bill and his sort doesn't it make you bloody angry?
With regard to Abu whatever he is just one of millions now living in our country that are taking the P155 my father also like many others spent all his youthful life fighting to give this country freedom and free speech, he would be gobsmacked today if he saw what we are allowing to go on, from criminals to illegal immigration to lawless travelling bands of thugs and mincemeat's big gob.
John T Pharro
says...
7:19pm Fri 10 Feb 12
Brunning999 wrote:So did my father and I have 3 Great Uncles killed in WW1 with no known grave. Add to that my wife's late father was taken at Singapore at was a "guest" of the Japanese for years as well as losing an Uncle in WW1 who at least has a grave.
John T Pharro wrote:What he did was great he deserves full recognition.
What a wonderful example people like Bill Sparks are. I am just reading his book "Cockleshell Commando" and what he and the others did on Operation Frankton positively makes you feel humble.
When you read about people like Abu Qatada think of this country and still takes our money and the liberty we have bought by Bill and his sort doesn't it make you bloody angry?
With regard to Abu whatever he is just one of millions now living in our country that are taking the P155 my father also like many others spent all his youthful life fighting to give this country freedom and free speech, he would be gobsmacked today if he saw what we are allowing to go on, from criminals to illegal immigration to lawless travelling bands of thugs and mincemeat's big gob.
I do visit the Memorials in France and show the due respect as let's be honest the same respect is displayed by young and old every year at The Paddocks on the 11th November.
Fortunately with people young and old like that there is still hope for this country. All it really needs is for our Government that we elect to reflect what I still believe is the majority view of people in this country.
shallotman says...
1:35pm Fri 10 Feb 12