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Cockleshell Commando
One of only two survivors of the famous Cockleshell Hero raid, Bill Sparks' war and post-war career has never before been told in full. In this gripping book, he describes not only his part in Operation FRANKTON, the daring Gironde raid, and his escape back to Britain, but how he fought with the Greek Sacred Squadron thereafter. Operating in small groups they raided and liberated islands in the Aegean Sea.
After the war, bored with life as a bus driver, he joined the Malayan Police and saw action aplenty during the Emergency. Always something of a military maverick, Bill's memoir is truly action-packed.
The book benefits from the inclusion of the official German investigation report into the Cockleshell Raid.
After the war, bored with life as a bus driver, he joined the Malayan Police and saw action aplenty during the Emergency. Always something of a military maverick, Bill's memoir is truly action-packed.
The book benefits from the inclusion of the official German investigation report into the Cockleshell Raid.
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 19, 2018
traces the adventures of Bill Sparks as a Royal Marine Commmando, from his first operation, Operation Franklon, as a 20 year old, through his escapades with the SBS and the Greek Sacred Band, with full expectation of being sent next to the Far East but for the war's end. After a desultory period in postwar England, Sparks tries his hand at policing during the communist incursion in then Malaysia.
All of Sparks' personal trials are recounted in a light-hearted manner, while those of his lost mates are told with obvious caring and anguish. The appendix sets out the German records of those captured. Sparks did what he could to ensure their memory is preserved, promoting the film Cockleshell Heroes and encouraging erection of a memorial and supporting the blazing of a trail following his escape route through occupied France.
Sadly, I was at times reminded of the Kipling poem "Tommy"--not because of public apathy but because of bureaucractic indifference. After escape to Gibraltar, Sparks' commander flew to England while Sparks went by ship, only to be arrested on arrival as his story could not be verified. He had to escape to get home to his father, who still thought Sparks MIA. Sparks, but not his commanding officer, testified at the War Crimes trial of those involved in the torture and execution of their fellow commandos. In the 1980s, Sparks was denied service disability pension despite documented disability, so he was forced to auction his DSM. (The Royal Marines did offer to buy the medal, but Sparks was committed contractually to the auction by then.) Sparks, however, clearly had the appreciation of any number of more worthy people who must have enjoyed his love of life.
All of Sparks' personal trials are recounted in a light-hearted manner, while those of his lost mates are told with obvious caring and anguish. The appendix sets out the German records of those captured. Sparks did what he could to ensure their memory is preserved, promoting the film Cockleshell Heroes and encouraging erection of a memorial and supporting the blazing of a trail following his escape route through occupied France.
Sadly, I was at times reminded of the Kipling poem "Tommy"--not because of public apathy but because of bureaucractic indifference. After escape to Gibraltar, Sparks' commander flew to England while Sparks went by ship, only to be arrested on arrival as his story could not be verified. He had to escape to get home to his father, who still thought Sparks MIA. Sparks, but not his commanding officer, testified at the War Crimes trial of those involved in the torture and execution of their fellow commandos. In the 1980s, Sparks was denied service disability pension despite documented disability, so he was forced to auction his DSM. (The Royal Marines did offer to buy the medal, but Sparks was committed contractually to the auction by then.) Sparks, however, clearly had the appreciation of any number of more worthy people who must have enjoyed his love of life.
August 25, 2018
Need Sparks telling of his adventures and misadventures during the Second World War and his battle with the peace that followed are told in a wry, self deprecating style that can't help but raise a smile (occasionally a sad one).
Starting with his involvement in Oppression Frankton (the famous Cockleshell raid) and his escape through occupied France, with filmmaker words of praise for those who helped him. The fate of the members of the party captured by the Germans obviously makes a deep impression on Ned, and becomes something of a theme running through the book, as does a feeling of antipathy towards his mission commander, Blondie Hassler.
Following Frankton, Need joins the SBS and is preparing for missions in the Middle East but ends up in the Med, where he spends time raiding (and liberating) various islands, occasionally in the company of the Greek Sacred Squadron, before he's demobbed at war's end.
Here the story takes a dad turn. Like many, he finds Britain isn't ready for it's hero's and spends time at various jobs before heading off to Malaya as a policeman. On his less than glorious return, he again returns to a civilian life that doesn't quite fulfil, before being called as a witness at the War Crimes trial of some of those who ordered the despicable execution of his comrades. He lays the blame for a lack of conviction at the non-appearance of his former commander rather than any post war expediency, but is then caught up in the making and publicity of the famous film based on his exploits.
In later life, faced with difficult mashing ends meet he's forced to sell the medal won in 1942, before ending the book engaging in fundraising and remembrance of his executed comrades.
Altogether a nice, quick read of one man's war in canoes and its unexpected consequences. A nice shaggy dog story.
Starting with his involvement in Oppression Frankton (the famous Cockleshell raid) and his escape through occupied France, with filmmaker words of praise for those who helped him. The fate of the members of the party captured by the Germans obviously makes a deep impression on Ned, and becomes something of a theme running through the book, as does a feeling of antipathy towards his mission commander, Blondie Hassler.
Following Frankton, Need joins the SBS and is preparing for missions in the Middle East but ends up in the Med, where he spends time raiding (and liberating) various islands, occasionally in the company of the Greek Sacred Squadron, before he's demobbed at war's end.
Here the story takes a dad turn. Like many, he finds Britain isn't ready for it's hero's and spends time at various jobs before heading off to Malaya as a policeman. On his less than glorious return, he again returns to a civilian life that doesn't quite fulfil, before being called as a witness at the War Crimes trial of some of those who ordered the despicable execution of his comrades. He lays the blame for a lack of conviction at the non-appearance of his former commander rather than any post war expediency, but is then caught up in the making and publicity of the famous film based on his exploits.
In later life, faced with difficult mashing ends meet he's forced to sell the medal won in 1942, before ending the book engaging in fundraising and remembrance of his executed comrades.
Altogether a nice, quick read of one man's war in canoes and its unexpected consequences. A nice shaggy dog story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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