How could Lt J D Sparkes be MID for a battle that took place one month after his death?awarded

"Sparkes, John Drury (30-35) Lt Army, accidentally killed November 13, 1940 aged 23. Sparkes was serving in the 2nd Bn Queen's Royal Regiment at the time of his death. His battalion had moved from Palestine to Egypt in 1940 and fought in the Battle of Sidi Barrani and also at Tobruk. In April 1941 Sparkes was Mentioned in Despatches for his actions during the Battle of Sidi Barrani. He is buried in the CWGC cemetery at El Alamein."

The problem with this is that the Battle of Sidi Barrani took place on 10-11 December 1940 - after Sparkes had died. The date of his death is on his tombstone (attached) and also listed in Forces War Records as 13.11.40.

Any ideas?

 

Do they mean when the Italians invaded Egypt?

 

Hi

Pretty sure the only awards that could be awarded posthumously was the VC and MID.

Hope this helps

Gus

 

England, Andrews Newspaper Index Cards, 1790-1976
Name: John D Sparkes
Father's Name: C D Sparkes
Death Date: Nov 1940


Global, Find a Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current
Name: Lieut John Drury Sparkes
Death Date: 13 Nov 1940
Cemetery: El Alamein War Cemetery
Burial or Cremation Place: El Alamein, MAṭrūḥ, Egypt
Has Bio?: N
Lieut John Drury Sparkes (unknown-1940) - Find A...

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Name: John Drury Sparkes
Death Date: 13 Nov 1940
Death Place: Somerset, England
Probate Date: 23 Jun 1941
Probate Registry: Llandudno



UK, Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947
Name: John Drury Sparkes
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Birth Date: abt 1917
Death Date: 13 Nov 1940
Cemetery: El Alamein War Cemetery
Burial Country: Egypt
Regimental Number: 73097
Region or Memorial: Egypt
Father: Charles Drury Sparkes
Mother: Louisa Margaret Sparkes

13th Nov 1940 would certainly seem to be the date he died. Can only suggest a SNAFU - he was awarded an MID on or before his death but the resulting moves etc someone had recorded it as being part of the battle that happened a few weeks after he died - a mix up in administration?

TD

Do you have the details of the MID that say he was awarded it for that particular battle

 

Page 5204 | Supplement 34931, 23 August 1940 | Lond...
The Queen's 1R. 26th Aug. 1940:— G. G. Reinhold, M.C. .(73095). E. A. W. Lockyer (73096). J. D. Sparkes (73097).


Page 1870 | Supplement 35120, 28 March 1941 | Londo...
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, i APRIL, 1941
INFANTRY.
The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey).
Martin, Lt. (temp. Capt.) A. J. H. (113070).
Sparkes, Lt. J. D. (73097) (since deceased).

Might need a little more exploring

TD

 

London Gazette just has the heading for the group including him as "the KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be mentioned for distinguished services in the Middle East during the period August 1939, to November 1940" so seems to be out with the Sidi Barrani and ties in with his date of death.