Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum logo

Click on CASPIR logo to go to the entire CASPIR system.

Use the panel to:

  • select Optional Sections
  • Remove Page Breaks, that is, return to the non-print formatted document.
  • Click on the ⇩ to go directly to that section.

Sparks, Bryan Noble George DSO (Wing Commander)

Died 1945-August-11

Birth Date: 1913 (age 32)

Son of Francis George Monkhouse Sparks, and of Mabel Alice Sparks (nee Irving Noble), of Tonbridge, Kent; husband of Estelle Marie Sparks (nee MacDonald).

Husband of Estelle Marie Sparks (nee MacDonald).

Home: Windsor, Ontario

Decorations: DSO


Distinguished Service Order
Service
RCAF
Unit
356 Sqn- Squadron
Rank
Wing Commander
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Pilot
Service Numbers
C/1492
Born in Wormley, Herts; home in Windsor or Walkerville, Ontario (mechanic);enlisted in Windsor, 2 January 1940. Commissioned January 1940. Addendum: 356 India Squadron. Wing Commander Pilot Sparks died of poliomyelitis and was buried in a gravesite on the Island of Cocos. His body was exhumed and reburied in the Kranji Military Cemetery, Singapore, Malaya. W/C Sparks was awarded the Distinguished Service Order effective 25 September 1945 as per London Gazette dated 2 October 1945 and AFRO 1822/45 dated 7 December 1945. Award presented to next-of-kin, 1 April 1949. The citation reads "First as flight commander, and later as squadron commander, this officer has proved to be an outstanding leader both in the air and on the ground. On operations his enthusiasm, skill and cheerful courage have set an inspiring example and have been reflected in the high standard of operational efficiency maintained in his squadron. Wing Commander Sparks' leadership has materially contributed to the successful completion of many missions flown by his squadron in formation and in single sorties." NOTE: Public Records Office Air219632 has recommendation dated 19 May 1945 when he had flown 27 sorties (269 hours five minutes). Detail provided by James Gallagher of Markham, Ontario. Addendum: Add this biography after Sparke,s, L.V. - SPARKS, BRYAN NOBEL GEORGE W/C(P) C1492 D.S.O. From Windsor, Ontario. Died Aug.11/45 age 32. 356 Squadron. W/C Sparks died of poliomyelitis in 86 1.G.H., India. Wing Commander Pilot Sparks is buried in the Kranji Military Cemetery, Singapore, Malaya. SPARKS, W/C Bryan Noble George (C1492) - Distinguished Service Order - No.356 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 25 September 1945 as per London Gazette dated 2 October 1945 and AFRO 1822/45 dated 7 December 1945. Born 1913 in Wormley, Herts.; home in Windsor or Walkerville, Ontario (mechanic); enlisted in Windsor, 2 January 1940, Commissioned January 1940. Died of natural causes, 11 August 1945 in Malaya. Award presented to next-of-kin, 1 April 1949. The citation reads - "First as flight commander, and later as squadron commander, this officer has proved to be an outstanding leader both in the air and on the ground. On operations his enthusiasm, skill and cheerful courage have set an inspiring example and have been reflected in the high standard of operational efficiency maintained in his squadron. Wing Commander Sparks' leadership has materially contributed to the successful completion of many missions flown by his squadron in formation and in single sorties." NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9632 has recommendation dated 19 May 1945 when he had flown 27 sorties (269 hours five minutes. Detail provided by L. Allison, Roland, Manitoba and H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Wing Commander Bryan Noble George Sparks was exhumed and reburied.

First Burial
Google Map Island Of Cocos
Re-Burial
Google Map Kranji War Cemetary, Singapore
Coll grave 12 C 7

© Canadian Warplane Heritage 2024

To search on any page:
PC — Ctrl-F
Mac — ⌘-F
Mobile — or …