Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1896 in the Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/187,
the son of Charles & Ellen Sproston (nee Leigh).

1901 Census - Off Hale Road, Hale.  Son (listed as EDWARD Sproston] - aged:
4 - born: Hale.  Head of household Charles Sproston - Married - aged: 37 -
occ: Postal & Telegraph Clerk - born: Altrincham.   Also - Ellen Sproston -
Wife - aged: 39 - born: Hale.  Plus 6 siblings.   [William - Lily - Charles
- Frank - John - Edward - Mary Ellen].

Attended Stamford Park Road School.

1911 Census - 11 Bancroft Road, Hale.   Son - aged: 14 - occ: Gardener
(Nursery) - born: Hale.   Head of household - Charles Sproston - Married -
aged: 47 - occ: Postal & Telegraph Clerk - born: Millington, Cheshire.   
Also - Ellen Sproston - Wife - aged: 49 - born: Hale.   Plus 6 siblings and
1 Lodger.  [Lily - Charles - Frank - John - Edwin - Mary Ellen - Annie].

Member of the Altrincham PSA.

WO363 - He attested at Knutsford on the 1st December 1913 to serve in the
Cheshire Imperial Yeomanry - No. 911.   He was just 18 years of age, 5 feet
6 1/2 inches in height, had 2 inch chest expansion up to 34 inches.   He
was of sound physical development and employed as a Fruit Grower in the
employ of John Fallen.   Embodied on the 5th August 1914 with the rank of
Private.   Posted to the Base Depot and embarked at Southampton on the 20th
September 1916, arriving at the No. 1 Territorial Base Depot at Rouen the
next day.  Transferred to the 6th Infantry Base Depot on the 29th, where he
was transferred to the 4th Territorial Force Reserve, Posted to the 8th
Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment and given a new Regimental number -
31612.
He listed his parents - Charles & Ellen Sproston as residing at 11 Bancroft
Road, Hale.   His eldest brother - William Sproston recorded as residing at
88 Salthouse Road, Barrow in Furness - his six other siblings (as per the
above census returns), were all recorded at 11 Bancroft Road.

Admitted to Hospital in the field on the 2nd August 1917 and to a
Stationary Hospital at Wimereux on the 4th.  Returned to the Infantry Base
Camp at Rouen on the 13th August 1917.

At the time of his death he had served for 4 years 151 day.   His personal
effects were a wallet, some letters, photo cards and a Psalm Book - these
were sent to his mother at 11 Bancroft Road, Hale on the 29th September
1918.

Death reported in the 17/05/1918 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.