Hi All,
As one of the family genealogists and a self appointed historian I think I should correct a few items in the discourse between brother Bill and cousin Peter.
Our Grandparents certainly were opposed to the marriage of their son Bob to Hazel Warneford however it was not because of Hazel’s family but rather the Quaker belief that one should be established prior to getting married (This why our Grandmother’s first love was rejected by her father as her suitor was a teacher with few prospects – (Google Ursula Hick’s letter on her early life). Bob at the time was enrolled at McGill University as a civil engineering student prior to his graduation the following year (1924) and employment with Bell Telephone. He remained with the ‘Bell’ until his retirement. Hazel and Bob had known each other from Acadia University prior to the Spriggs’ move to Baie d’Urfé. Hazel’s father was one Canon Warneford of Johnson Parish New Brunswick and his father was also a man of the cloth.
I believe our Grandparents never lost their Quaker identity when they came to Canada but as there were no Meetings locally available to them either in rural Nova Scotia or in Baie d’Urfé they practised their faith together themselves for the most part. I did see them on occasion in the local St Georges Church sitting quietly at the back of the church.
Regarding our fathers enlistment in the armed forces, Nova Scotia was raising a new battalion in 1916 (219th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlander Regiment) and recruiters came around to Acadia where Dad was studying and a lot of his classmates joined up. His Quaker cousin Eric had already joined the Royal Artillery in England and Dad was a new Canadian not a year from arrival so it must have been difficult not to join to fight for England (and Canada) when others around him were joining. In an interview between sister Hilary and our Dad his response to her question why did he join the fight he replied “they were the Anti-Christ” The only comment I know of made by our Grandfather at the time to the recruiter was “You realise he is underage?” and that was acknowledged which meant that he was eligible for free education after hostilities ended of which he took advantage.
Bill’s recollection of the events during the war were not quite correct. The dog fight he remembered did take place and I recall when, as lads, David and I were being tucked into bed by Dad, we sometimes asked for a story from his war days. Regarding this encounter, he said that his wings were full of holes as one of the scouts attacking came in from one side and then the other while other scout attacked from behind and in front. They were fortunate to escape that day.
Regarding the sortie which led to the awarding of the DFC to both Dad and his observer, Oscar Berridge, Dad said there was a big push on in the latter days of October 1918 and a pocket of German resistance was holding up the advance up in their sector. Either there were no other aircraft available or he was with a flight of which the others returned to base due to very bad weather conditions, but in any event he and his observer continued alone, found the pocket of resistance and attacked it with bombs and machine gun fire which allowed the advance to continue. On returning to base they encountered a German observer aircraft which they engaged and shot down. Dad said as they were firing at each other, he could see the German’s tracers beading in on his plane. Eventually, they shot off the propeller driven fuel pump located on the upper wing just above his head at which time he broke off. As he did his observer pounded on his back and pointed to the German aircraft which was then plunging down in flames. (In case you are wondering, the plane had an auxiliary hand operated fuel pump which came in handy). You can Google “London Gazette” and then do a search for “William Spriggs” 1918-1919 which shows the notice and some detail of the award.
Our mother’s Dad, Jack Lickfold, was not involved in the aircraft industry as it was essentially before his day. Mom’s brother ‘ERL’ however was. ERL went overseas from Trinidad with the 1st Caribbean Contingent in 1915. Later he trained as a pilot joining the Royal Flying Corps after being posted to the Middle East. He was an instructor on fighter aircraft. In 1931 he joined with a Mikey Cipriani, who bought a de Haviland Moth, to bring the first Trinidadian owned airplane to Trinidad. ERL came to Montreal to check the plane out, then it was packed up and shipped to Trinidad where ERL re-assembled it and flew it for the first time. ERL and Mikey parted ways shortly after and that was extent of ERL’s flying days. He held the first license as an aircraft mechanic on the island.
I would like to thank Peter for sharing with us the discourse between him and brother Bill. It is really a treasure
love to all
John