Harold Sprackland

Story:
Harold Sprackland was born in Chilmark, Wiltshire, on 28 Jun 1896 the son of William George Sprackland and Emily Jane Sprackland (nee Noake).  He spent his very early life in Chilmark until he boarded out with his Uncle at Upper Street,  Breamore, Salisbury, Wiltshire.  Family records show that he had enlisted with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment and his medal record shows his Service No. 38547 and his final rank as Bombardier. It is understood he served in France and Flanders and at the end of hostilities was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  There was no mention of the 1914/15 Star.   His address at the time was given in the Absent Voters Lists of 1918 and 1919 as Bowers Barn, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, where his brother, Arthur William Sprackland, lived.  He married Olive Myrtle Mortimer in Plymouth, Devon, in 1921.  By 1929 he was employed as civilian Sergeant Instructor for the Officer Training Corps (OTC) at Cambridge University.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Rifle Range Cottage, Grange Road, Cambridge, described as a Caretaker of the Rifle Range.  In 1967 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to the Country and the OTC.    He died in Cambridge on 18 Jun 1971.