J. G. Sparkes, Able Seaman, HMS Shah

LATE MR. J. G. SPARKES.
After an adventurous career, the death occurred
at his resldonce, Wyalong-street,
Willoughby, recently of Mr. John George
Sparkes, in his 71st year. The late Mr
Sparkes Joined the Royal Navy as a second
class boy In 1868, at Woolwich, and was sent
to the Boscawen at Portland for training.
Rated a first-class boy he was drafted to
H.M.S. Minotaur, flagship of the Channel
Fleet, of which the late Commander Goodenough
was captain. On leaving the Minotaur
Mr. Sparkes went through a course of
gunnery, and later, on H.M.S. Shah, had much
experience on tho coast of South America..
When homeward bound the 'Shah' called at St.
Helena and received news of the disaster to
the 24th Regiment at Insandhlvvana in the
Zulu campaign. Captain Bradshaw, the commander
of the Shah, took all the able-bodied
men from St. Helena over to Natal, where
Mr. Sparkes landed with the Naval Brigade
and marched to the relief of Eshowe.
On the paying off of the Shah Mr. Sparkes
was sent to the East Indies, and did his
prescribed time in the Persian Gulf. Returning
to England as a first-class petty
officer, he was sent to the guardship at
Queenstown, Irelnnd. On completion of his
service bo took his discharge, and coming
to Australia Joined tho Water and Sewerage
Board's staff In Sydney, from which he eventually
retired on a pension. When at the
outbreak of the Boxer rebellion the British
Government accepted the service of 460 Australians
for China Mr. Sparkes went as one
ot four chief petty officers, and spent the
winter of 1900 in Pekin.
The funeral of the late Mr. Sparkes took
plaea at the Church. of England Cemetery
at Gore Hill. The chief mourners
were: Mrs. Sparkes (widow), Mr. W. F.
Sparkes (son), Mr. AV. J. Sparkes (brother),
and Miss Joyce Sparkes (granddaughter).
Among tho'friends present wore
many members of the United Imperial Navy
and Army Veterans' Association, including
the president (Mr. W. A. Matthews) and Mr.
R. Small (secretary). Members of deceased's
old lodge, G.U.O.O.F., St. Leonards branch,
were also present. The casket was covered
with the Union Jack, and the deceased's old
naval cap and coat, Tho pall-bearers were
four old comrades. The Rev. H. S. Begble,
of St. Stephen's, conducted the graveside service.
Bugler E. J. Howell sounded the "Last Post."

Sydney Morning Herald, tuesday 3 March 1925

Petty Officer Tom