Subject

Member of the ARP/Civil Defence Services - auxiliary ambulance driver.

Andrew Behan has kindly provided this research: James Samuel Spratt was born on 28 January 1904 in Poplar, a son of James Charles Spratt and Margaret Ann Spratt, née Griggs. His father was a dock labourer. He was baptised on 16 February 1904 at St John's Church, Cubitt Town and the family were recorded as living at 5 Judkin Street, Poplar. 

The 1911 census shows him and his family living at 49 Prestons Road, Poplar. Electoral registers from 1925 show him living with his parents at 10 Naval Row (North), Poplar. 

In 1928 he married Freda Bell Teasdale (1905-1962) in Poplar. The 1939 England and Wales Register shows him living at 14 Schooner Street, Poplar, and that his occupation was a Bus Conductor. He was a driver in the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service and died, aged 36 years, on 18 September 1940 when a high explosive bomb fell on Saunders Ness Road School, Isle of Dogs, London, E.14, that was being used as Auxiliary Fire Service Sub Station No.35U. He was buried on 23 September 1940 in the City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery, Southern Grove, London, E3 4PX. He is also commemorated in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour, located near St. George's Chapel in Westminster Abbey.