Harry Charles Spong
Died : 11 November 1942
Harry Charles Spong was never a resident of Ringmer in the true sense but it was nevertheless his adopted home whenever he had any leave from the Army. The son of Harry Fielder Stewart and Sarah Jane Spong he was born in Kent on 26th June 1900.
Harry joined up on leaving school as a boy soldier with the Royal Engineers. He was most probably in the signal section, for he transferred into the Royal Corps of Signals upon its inception in 1920.
As a Regular Soldier Harry Spong was to see much of the World during his career. Like so many men in the twenties he did a tour of duty (normally around six years) in India. This was followed by a time in Ireland before going to Palestine, which, after capture by Britain in 1918, remained under her administration on behalf of the League of Nations. Overseas postings were interspersed with periods in Britain when he was able to visit Ringmer. Appointed Sergeant Major on 1st September 1937, Harry Spong was commissioned Lieutenant on 1st May 1939. More service in India preceded the final posting, this time to Hong Kong.
The Army provided accommodation for Harry Spong and as such he had no home of his own. His leave was spent with his wife's family at Lionville, Bishops Lane, Ringmer. His wife was Winifred Grace (formerly Martin) and they had a daughter, June. Mrs Spong was the secretary of Ringmer Primary School from 15th April 1947 until 1959.
It was as an Inspector of Permanent Communications that (Acting) Captain Spong number 89855 served in Hong Kong. It did not take the Japanese long, after their surprise attack on the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941, to besiege the colony. Between 8th and 10th December the Japanese 38th Division smashed its way through the outer defences on the mainland and the British retreated to Hong Kong Island. By 13th December Japan issued a demand for the surrender of our forces. The British Commander, Major General C.M. Maltby, rejected this. As a result an intensive enemy artillery and naval bombardment, in conjunction with air attacks, was heaped upon the beleaguered forces. Then an overwhelming amphibious assault was launched against the island between 18th and 25th December when, out of water, the remnants of the 12,000-man garrison capitulated.
| Many of the officers who survived the fighting were taken to Japan. It was as a Prisoner of War that Captain Harry Charles Spong died of typhoid and dysentery on 11th November 1942. He is buried in Yokohama British Commonwealth War Cemetery, Japan, and was made a posthumous Member (of the Order) of the British Empire [Military] for outstanding service to his fellow prisoners under the most difficult circumstances. |  |
Adapted from Valiant Hearts of Ringmer by Geoff Bridger: Ammonite Press, 1993
