James Humphrey Sprott, RAF, OBE

In my last post, I wrote about a cousin of my great-grandfather who served in the Royal Air Force during World War I. James Humphrey Sprott flew in 218 Squadron until April 12, 1919. On January 1, 1919, James was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. I've now learned more about his life after the Great War.

According to a newspaper article, James went to Coorg, India, to manage his father's coffee plantation. However, at the outbreak of World War II, he volunteered to serve again.

In January, 1931, James and his family returned to England, traveling 
on the Barrabool, of the White Star Dominion Shipping Line. 

James was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his service as Acting Squadron Leader during the Dieppe raid, an attempt by Allied Forces to seize and hold the German-occupied French port of Dieppe. Losses were very heavy, and most objectives were not met, but the Allies learned from the failures and used the experience to prepare for later invasions.

Gloucestershire Echo, October 3, 1942

Badge and ribbon of an Officer of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 

(Military Division) & OBE

Learn more at the Imperial War Museum.

In Memory of Alfred William Sprott, British Royal Navy

“Your Uncle Will has two sons. One was in the Navy and was sent to Singapore but his fate is not known, though his wife got back to England. The other son was in the R.A.F. in the last war (he was decorated) and he is the one who has received the order of G.B.E. for his service at Dieppe. He is of course, too old to fly.” 

Letter from Walter E. Sprott to Louise V. Stong

January 21, 1943

My great-great-grandfather, Walter Edward Sprott, immigrated to America as a young man, while his sister and four brothers all remained in England. One of his brothers, William Hugh Sprott, born in 1857, served as a major in World War I. I am still searching for official records of his service.

William and his wife Louisa (Dansey Green-Price) had two sons - and both also served in the military. Their youngest son, James Humphrey Sprott (born in 1899), was a squadron leader in the Royal Air Force during World War I. According to his service record, he trained at Manston Flying School from October 1917 to March 1918. James served in 218 Squadron until April 12, 1919. On January 1, 1919, James was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to civilian life after the war, married Lena Gordon Grant in 1927, and died in Devon in 1964.

Alfred William Sprott, James' older brother served in both World War I and World War II. Alfred, born in 1893, began his career May 15 1906. He worked his way up through the ranks, becoming a midshipman in 1911, a Lieutenant in 1915, and a Lieutenant Commander in 1923. He was highly regarded, and retired with the rank of Commander in 1936. But his record has these surprising final notes: "Missing," then "Presumed dead 14th February 1942."

During World War II, Alfred's command was reactivated and he was captain of HMS Aberdare, a Hunt class minesweeper, from Sep 24 1939 to October 1939 in Singapore. He later captained HMS Dragonfly, a Royal Navy river gunboat on the Yangtse River. The HMS Dragonfly sailed in the early hours of 14 February for Australia - the day that Singapore surrendered. Later that day, in the Riau Archipelago, they were attacked by bombers and hit three times. The ship sunk within ten minutes. A few of the crew and passengers were able to evacuate and became prisoners of the Japanese.

HMS Dragonfly

Alfred Sprott was 48 when he died on 14 Feb 1942, with about 50 members of his crew. He was survived by his wife, Winifred Denison (Hall) Sprott, and remembered on a War Memorial in Ugborough, Devon, England, where they made their home. 

Eyewitness Accounts of the Sinking of HMS Dragonfly

Seeking Parents of Benjamin Conaway

My third great-grandfather Benjamin Conaway was born in 1817. He was probably raised in Coshocton Co., Ohio and is believed to be related to John and/or Charles Conaway who both lived in Coshocton County from about the 1820s to about the mid-1830s, when they all moved to Knox County, Ohio.

Benjamin married Nancy Horn (daughter of Hartman and Hannah Horn) on Oct 1, 1837 in Knox Co., Ohio. He is found on the census for Miller Township, Knox Co., in 1840.

1840 Census Miller Township, Knox Co. OH, page 271

Benjamin Conaway

1 male age 20-30

1 female under 5

1 female age 20-30

In 1841, on August 13, Benjamin took on an apprentice. Joshua Conaway (son of John) “placed and bound his ward named Joseph M. Riggs as an apprentice to the said B. D. Conaway to learn the art trade mystery or occupation of carpenter and hande joiner which he the said B.D. Conaway now follows . . . the said Joseph M. Riggs shall well and faithfully dwell with a serve the said B. D. Conaway as an apprentice . . . until he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years.” This was recorded at Knox County court on Nov. 6 1841.

Curiously, Charles Conaway owed a debt of $200 to Benjamin Conaway. The dates June 1, 1843; July 3, 1844; June 1, 1846 were on the note. What is the cause of this debt? There is no evidence that Benjamin owned any land that he could have sold to Charles, and his inventory of possessions at his death was fairly meager, so I can't imagine that he loaned Charles $200. The debt was unpaid at the time of Benjamin's death in 1846.

In 1844, Benjamin Conaway paid $280 for 114 acres in Wells Co., Indiana. He didn't move to Wells County, although perhaps he intended to do so eventually. I wonder where Benjamin got the money for this purchase. 

On Feb 16, 1846 in Knox Co., Benjamin died (possibly of typhoid fever) leaving his wife Nancy and their four children - Malana, Adolphus, Phytama and Alexander. Another curiousity - Benjamin's father-in-law Hartman Horn was the administrator of Benjamin's estate.

For many years, I thought that John Conaway was Benjamin's father, but John's will lists his children and makes no mention of Benjamin or Benjamin's children. Also, there is no mention of John in any of the probate documents for Benjamin's estate. The only Conaway mentioned in those documents is Charles. He purchased a few items from the estate, owed (and paid) the debt of $200 plus $21 interest to the estate, and was owed by the estate  $2.51 1/2 cents for sugar and corn Nancy "bought" from him shortly after Benjamin died.  

John Weaver and Anna Maria Weaver at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

What a fascinating time to be involved in genealogy research. The tools and databases available online are amazing in their breadth and depth, and many are completely free.

Today, on Google Maps, I located the cemetery where my fourth great grandparents, John and Anna Maria Weber aka Weaver, are buried in Manheim, Pennsylvania. I can even see the approximate location of John's gravestone. I believe it is the third one from the church directly above the top of the fountain.

John died January 3, 1877. Anna Maria preceded him in death, dying between 1840 and 1850. When John died, he stipulated the following in his will:

I direct that my body be buried in the Lutheran graveyard at Manheim in a Christian manner and that a common tombstone shall be erected to my memory. Also a tombstone shall be erected to the memory of my wife . . .

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Manheim, Lancaster, PA

John and Anna Maria were the parents of 9 known children:

Henry Weaver (born about 1814) who married Christina Susannah Tshudi or Judda

Rosanna Weaver (1818 - 1910), who married John Weaver

Sarah Weaver (1820 - 1915) who married David E. Frey

George Weaver (1823 - ?)

Elizabeth Weaver (1826 -1917) who married Jacob Flaud

John G. Weaver (1828-1898) who married Sarah (last name unknown) and Maria S. Hoffert

Magdalena G. Weaver (1830-1890) who married Abraham E. Kover

Frederick G. Weaver (1833 - ?) who married Catherine (last name unknown)

Susanna Weaver (1834 - ?) married (first name unknown) Landis

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1772. The present building, built in 1891, is the congregation's third house of worship.

To see the current neighborhood around this church, check out the link below and select the street view.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church