William Sparks DSM
(1922-2002)
Died aged c. 80
Wikidata WikipediaWilliam Edward Sparks DSM (5 September 1922 – 1 December 2002) was a British Royal Marine Commando in World War II. He was the last survivor of the "Cockleshell Heroes" of Operation Frankton in 1942; a team of commandos who paddled 85 miles from the Bay of Biscay up the Gironde estuary to Bordeaux in German occupied France, to plant limpet mines on merchant ships supplying the Nazi war machine.
DbPedia
Commemorated on 2 plaques
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Marine William Sparks DSM (1922-2002) "Cockleshell Hero" Bordeaux 1942 lived here
47 Poundfield Road, Loughton, United Kingdom where they was born (1922)
The Cockleshell Heroes. The Men who launched the Commando raid on Bordeaux Harbour in 1942 lived in this house whilst training at the Lumps Fort at Southsea. Only two survived to make it home, of the others, two were drowned, six were captured and executed. Erected by Portsmouth City Council on the 70th Anniversary of the Raid.
27 Worthing Road, Portsmouth, United Kingdom where they stayed (1942)