Alfred William Sprott

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Commander (retired) Alfred William Sprott, R.N. (8 September, 1893 – 14 February, 1942) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

The son of a coffee planter.

Sprott passed out of Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in April, 1910 tied 36th in rank of 77 cadets in marks on the Part I examination.[1]

Sprott would serve in a variety of torpedo craft during the war, starting with the destroyer Foyle from 29 July 1914 through 15 October, 1915 when he promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

Sprott was appointed in command of the patrol boat P21 on 17 August, 1917.[2]

Sprott was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 October, 1923.

Sprott was promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 October, 1936.

World War II

Sprott was in Singapore.

Sprott was in command of the river gunboat Dragonfly when she was bombed on 14 February, 1942 as soon as she set off for Australia. Sprott beached her, and some of the crew and passengers were captured by the Japanese, but he was not found. Sprott was declared missing and presumed dead.

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Gordon F. Hannay
Captain of H.M.S. P21
30 May, 1918[3] – 28 Oct, 1919
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Hugh B. Robinson
Captain of H.M.S. Ambrose
20 Dec, 1930[4] – 9 Mar, 1932
Succeeded by
John Murray
Preceded by
Charles H. Allen
Captain of H.M.S. Calypso
30 Aug, 1935 – 22 Feb, 1936
Succeeded by
George R. I. Irving

Footnotes

  1. "Naval And Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Saturday, Apr 30, 1910; pg. 5; Issue 39260.
  2. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 858.
  3. The Navy List. (July, 1919). p. 857.
  4. The Navy List. (July, 1931). p. 215.