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