James Sparkes

James Sparkes was born in 1885 at Mansfield, he was the son of John a railway guard and Ann Sparkes née Towle of 5 Princess Street, Mansfield, His father John was born in 1857 at Hampton Lacey, Warwickshire, his mother Ann Towle was born in 1852 at Sandiacre, they were married on 10th April 1884 at Nottingham, they went on to hav6 children, sadly 1 died in infancy or early childhood. In the 1911 census the family are living at 5 Princess Street, Mansfield, John 54 yrs is railway guard, he is living with his wife Ann 59 yrs and their children, Allen Towle 28 yrs a locomotive stoker, Catherine 22 yrs a clicker, John 18 yrs a body builder and Hilda 16 yrs. In the same 1911 census we find at James has enlisted into the Army he is shown as being James Sparkes 25 yrs he is serving with the 11th Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery who are in barracks in India.