Ralph Sparrow

Flight Sergeant Ralph Charles Sparrow, RCAF, R263518, Rear Gunner

Born 29th of May, 1925.

Ralph came from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

His father died when he was only six.

When he enlisted in the Air Force on the 1st of July 1943, aged only 18, it was against his mother’s wishes as she had already lost an older son in the war. Two of Ralph’s brothers served.

Ralph with his mother
– Ralph Sparrow collection, thanks to Dave Sparrow.

After initial training at No. 2 Manning Depot (2 MD), Brandon, Ralph began training as an Air Gunner at No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School (4 B&GS), Fingal, Ontario, No. 1 Air Gunner Ground Training School (1 AGGTS), Quebec City and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School (3 B&GS), Macdonald, Manitoba.

Postcard sent to his brother, probably Christmas 1943 while training at Air Gunner Ground Training School in Quebec City.
– Ralph Sparrow collection, thanks to Dave Sparrow.
Ralph in uniform, during training in Canada but prior to graduation as Air Gunner.
– Ralph Sparrow collection, thanks to Dave Sparrow.

He completed his training with a “commando” course at No. 4 Aircrew Graduate Training School (4 AGTS), Valleyfield, Quebec, designed to help airmen survive in the event of being shot down in enemy territory.

Ralph graduated as Air Gunner on the 11th of February 1944, earning an AG brevet and promoted to Sergeant. He was given two weeks’ Embarkation Leave from the 12th to the 25th of February.

Ralph proudly wearing his new Air Gunner’s brevet and Sergeant’s stripes, probably taken on pre-embarkation leave, February 1944.
– Ralph Sparrow collection, thanks to Dave Sparrow.
Two ID photos from Ralph’s RCAF file.
– Ralph Sparrow collection, thanks to Dave Sparrow.
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He sailed to England by North Atlantic convoy, embarking in Halifax on the 30th of March and arriving in England on the 7th of April.

On the 8th of April Sgt Ralph Sparrow was posted to No 3 Personnel Reception Centre at Bournemouth for processing and to await a posting to an Operational Training Unit. Unlike the Pilots, Nav’s and W/ops arriving from Canada, Air Gunners did not undergo further Advanced Flying training in the UK; they went straight into operational training.

Ralph in full Air Gunner’s flying gear, taken in England.
– Ralph Sparrow collection, thanks to Dave Sparrow.
Ralph and friend with Jeep, probably also taken in England.
– Ralph Sparrow collection, thanks to Dave Sparrow.

NEXT: 12 OTU, Chipping Warden

ALSO: Ralph Sparrow post-war