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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Harry John Sproule

In memory of:

Trooper Harry John Sproule

July 11, 1901
Houtkop, South Africa

Military Service

Service Number:

1780

Age:

18

Force:

Army

Unit:

South African Constabulary

Additional Information

Born in 1883 in Ontario. Son of William and Marjorie (née Milne) Sproule and nephew of the Honourable Thomas Simpson Sproule, M.D., Member of Parliament for Grey County, Ontario; Senator and Speaker of the House. Brother of Capt Milton Frederick Sproule, Military Cross, 10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, killed in action, 15 November 1917 and Howard Sproule. Uncle of Frederick H. Sproule, DFC, CD, who served in the Second World War, both in the Army and Royal Canadian Air Force, now living in Victoria, British Columbia and Harvey Milton Sproule former Royal Canadian Navy attached to the Royal Navy, now living in Kailua Kona, Hawaii and Mrs. Laura Rosner of Phoenix, Arizona. It is said that Trooper Sproule was estranged from his father and left home in his 17th year. He subsequently named his uncle, the Honourable Thomas Simpson Sproule, M.D. as his next of kin. You can read the letters he received on the death of Trooper Sproule, as well as view a map indicating where he died and where he is buried. Also available for viewing is a copy of heartfelt letter from his father, William Sproule of Winnipeg, Manitoba thanking the Honourary Secretary of the Canadian South African Memorial Association for the gesture of marking his son's grave.

Commemorated on Page 39 of the South African War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

MACCAUVLEI GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE (VEREENIGING)
South Africa

Grave Reference:

N/A

Location:

From Johannesburg, take R59, which becomes R82 (Voortrekker Road), left at Victoria Street, under the train bridge, then drive over bridge that crosses the Vaal River, from bridge travel 1.1 km and turn right into Maccauvlei Golf Club. This is a private golf club and permission to enter must be obtained by contacting the Managing Secretary.

Digital Collection

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  • Memorial– Remembering brothers lost … Brothers In Arms Memorial, Zonnebeke, BE … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022

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    Memorial
    Memorial – Remembering brothers lost … Brothers In Arms Memorial, Zonnebeke, BE … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022
  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Grave marker

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    Grave marker
    Grave marker
  • Letter from commanding officer

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    Letter from commanding officer
    Letter from commanding officer
  • Letter 2– Letter from War Office.

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    Letter 2
    Letter 2 – Letter from War Office.
  • Letter 3– Letter advising of death.

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    Letter 3
    Letter 3 – Letter advising of death.
  • Map of Vereeniging– Map showing where Trooper Sproule fell (at Zuurfontein) and where he was buried at Hontkop, near Vereeniging.

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    Map of Vereeniging
    Map of Vereeniging – Map showing where Trooper Sproule fell (at Zuurfontein) and where he was buried at Hontkop, near Vereeniging.
  • Portrait of Harry Sproule

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    Portrait of Harry Sproule
    Portrait of Harry Sproule
  • Letter

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    Letter
    Letter

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To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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