Lieutenant Samuel McSparron (Sept 1892 - Oct 1968).

Lieutenant Samuel McSparron .

 

Samuel McSparron was born in Choppington to Samuel McSparron and his wife, the former Marjorie Lumsden. After he left school he was employed at Woodhorn colliery as a miner and rose to become the Pit Deputy. In 1911 he married Ellen Tomlinson and between 1912 and 1936 they had six sons and two daughters. At the outbreak of WW1 he joined the Northern Cycling Battalion at Ashington and after training was posted to France. He became a Sergeant and was captured and sent to Kottbus prisoner of war camp. After his release he returned home to work at Woodhorn Colliery. He worked at various other collieries in the area such as Choppington, High Pit, and Nelson Pit where he was a Master Shifter.

In 1939 he lived at 59 Nelson Avenue, Nelson Village. He became a Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion Northumberland Home Guard at Nelson Village/Cramlington. His house was used as the Armoury and his unit met in the Fox and Hounds, which is now the Comrades Club in Cramlington.

Samuel McSparron retired in 1957 and died aged 76 in 1968.

 

2nd Lieutenant Thomas McSparron (1920 - )

Thomas McSparron was born in 1920 and was the second son of the above Samuel McSparron and his wife the former Ellen Tomlinson. Due to an accident as a child he was unable to serve with the regular forces and so he joined the Home Guard with his father. He became a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion Northumberland Home Guard and was an unarmed combat instructor. In 1941 he married Dorothy Taylor. He worked at the following mines, Nelson pit, Cowpen, Crofton and North Seaton as a Keeker (Surface Supervisor).

 

William H McSparron (1923 - )

William McSparron was the fourth son of Samuel Mcsparron and his wife the former Ellen Tomlinson. He initially joined the 5th Battalion Northumberland Home Guard and served as a runner. When he was old enough he joined the RAF and trained initially as a gunner. Due to operational requirements he was retrained as a navigator, then as a pilot. In 1945 he married Constance E Harries. After WW2 he was employed in the Mines Rescue service in the Rhonda Valley.

 

Information and photograph kindly supplied by Mr J E McSparron.

If you have any information on Thomas, William or Joe McSparron or anyone who served in the Northumberland Home Guard, Newcastle Battalions please contact ph@ccoynblhomeguard.co.uk