Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Lieutenant J. D. Sparkes, Royal West Surrey Regiment

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, unnamed as issued, extremely fine £150-200

John Drury Sparkes was the only son of Charles Drury and Louisa Margaret Sparkes of Curry Rivel, Somerset. Educated at Pangbourne, he entered Sandhurst in 1936 and received his commission in 1938. Serving as a Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) he was killed in action on 13 November 1940, aged 23 years. He was buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.

The medals mounted in a wooden glass-fronted frame, 54 x 36cm., along with a bronze post-1922 officers’ cap badge and a three-quarter length portrait photograph of the recipient in uniform with label, ‘Lieut. John Drury Sparkes, 2nd Battn. Royal West Surrey Regt., killed in action 13th November 1940. Western Dessert (sic)’ Sold together with a fencing mask in leather and metal and a fencing trophy consisting of a wooden block, 19 x 10.5 x 10.5cm (approx.) upon which is mounted a silver rifle with bayonet, a fencing mask and crossed foils, with a silver plaque inscribed, ‘Royal Tournament 1937, Sabre v Sabre, Cadets, Jun. U / Offr. J. D. Sparkes, R.M.C.’; rifle, mask and plaque all with hallmarks for Birmingham 1925.