Howard Baker Spry

Story:
Howard Baker Spry was born in Paignton, Devonshire, on 22 Mar 1898 the son of Frederick Lamble Spry and Elizabeth (Bessie) Jane Spry (nee Baker).  He spent most of his early life in Paignton apart from some of his education at Shaftesbury, Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset.  In 1915 he moved to Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, where he was learning the trade of a Tailor & Outfitter.  He enlisted on 26 Apr 1917 with the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force from 1 Apr 1918) and trained as a Lewis Gunner with the 24th Wing (Training Reserve Battalion) before transferring as an Office Cadet on 5 Apr 1918.  He became a registered member of the Royal Aero Club on 21 Oct 1918 and held Certificate No. 7176.  He was eventually discharged on 20 Mar 1919 and granted the rank of Honorary Lieutenant.  No medal records have been found in this case. The 1921 Census shows him living with the parents at 10 Victoria Street, Paignton, assisting ha father in the tailoring business  His marriage to Mildred Stones was recorded at the Totnes, Devonshire, Registry in 1925.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 21 Whitstone Road, Paignton, Devonshire, described as a Tailor and Outfitter (Shopkeeper) and also a Special Constable.  His death was recorded in Paignton on 1 Dec 1955.