Hugh C Sparkes joined the Army 15 February 1940. He served with The RA before volunteering for the airborne forces. 

He was parachute jump trained sometime in 1940/41 at RAF Ringway. He became a member of 1st Parachute Bn, T Coy, 11 Pln and saw service in N.Africa. 

According to transfer and enlistment records, on 13 October 1944 Hugh was 'Discharged on Commission'