The Jacksdale Memorial is fairly unusual, in that it also lists not only those who fell, but also those who served during World War One.  On one of the ‘Served’ Plaques, W. Sparham is listed, but beside his name, it is engraved ‘ Killed 1916’.   

We have had some difficulty identifying the W. Sparham named on our memorial, but we believe that he may well be 200731 Private William Sparham, Sherwood Foresters but we have found no definite connection with Jacksdale yet. We have found, on the 1915 Electoral Roll a William Sparham of Westwood, who may have been a relative, or even William himself. 

200731 Pte. Sparham enlisted at Ripley, Derbyshire and lived at South Normanton, Derbyshire but we have no record of his place of birth.  He was killed on 1^st July 1916, the first day of the Somme offensive and is buried at Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. 

During the Summer of 2001, Judith and Terry Kelsall, of Mackworth, Derby, were kind enough to take photographs of William Sparham’s grave, during a visit to nearby Foncquevillers, whilst attending the 85^th  Memorial Service to commemorate, the special connection which exists between the village of Foncquevillers and the city of Derby. 

We would very much welcome any information, which would help us confirm that 200731 Private Sparham, is the serviceman, commemorated on the Jacksdale War Memorial.