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Neepsend National School, Senior Department, 1901
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Neepsend National School, Senior Department, 1901
Richard Arthur Sparling (1890-1972) is possibly the third boy from left on the back row.Richard Arthur Sparling (1890 - 1972) served as a sergeant (and as Orderly Room clerk) in the 12th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (Sheffield City Battalion, or Sheffield Pals) in World War One. In 1911 he lived at 35 Pickering Road, Sheffield with his widowed mother, Annie, and his brother George, sister in law Mary Ellen and his niece Marjorie (aged 3). Richard was described as a sports and pastimes reporter. He joined up in September 1914 aged 24. In civilian life he was a sports writer / journalist. He is shown on the 1911 census for Pickering Road aged 20 and is described as a sports writer for a newspaper. Later, he was sports editor of Sheffield Daily Telegraph. He married Millie Archer, whilst on leave from Active Service in August 1915. They had two daughters, Joan ( - 1990) and Marie ( - 2004).Original photograph at Sheffield Archives MD7766/1/1
Sheffield City Archives and Local Studies Library has an unrivalled collection of images of Sheffield, England
Media ID 14039486
© Sheffield City Council
Arthur Class Group Neepsend Photographs Primary School Schools Street
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the Neepsend National School, Senior Department in 1901. Amongst the sea of eager faces, one can possibly spot Richard Arthur Sparling (1890-1972), believed to be the third boy from the left on the back row. Little did he know that his life would soon take an extraordinary turn. Richard Arthur Sparling went on to serve as a sergeant and Orderly Room clerk in the renowned 12th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment during World War One. Prior to his military service, Richard resided at 35 Pickering Road in Sheffield with his widowed mother Annie, brother George, sister-in-law Mary Ellen, and young niece Marjorie. A man of many talents, Richard was described as a sports and pastimes reporter before joining up at the age of 24 in September 1914. He had already made a name for himself as a sports writer/journalist by featuring on the 1911 census for Pickering Road when he was just twenty years old. His dedication to journalism continued even amidst war; Richard became the esteemed sports editor of Sheffield Daily Telegraph. During his leave from active service in August 1915, he married Millie Archer. Together they welcomed two daughters into their lives: Joan ( -1990) and Marie ( -2004). Preserved within Sheffield Archives is this original photograph (MD7766/1/1), offering us a glimpse into both history and personal stories like that of Richard Arthur Sparling's remarkable journey through life.
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