By Isle of Wight Observer
A professional pianist who played with Morecambe and Wise and Roy Castle, among a host of other celebrities, celebrates his 100th birthday tomorrow (Saturday).
Arthur Sparks, of Freshwater, was born in Park Royal, west London, one of a set of twins, with his sister, Winifred.
He left school, aged 14, becoming a paper boy, but took up an apprenticeship in engineering helping to make cameras which were fitted onto machine guns on planes during World War II to help the gunner focus on his target.
Arthur was himself called up, aged 17, in 1942 serving with the Royal Engineers and was part of the ‘Final Push’ helping to clear the beaches.
He met his future wife, Hilda, in 1946 and they married the following year, staying married for 74 years until her death.
After the war he returned to Harlesden and continued his engineering career, but the talented pianist decided to go full-time and, as well as performing with many top acts, he also taught the piano and played at dance classes.
In 1987, Arthur and Hilda decided to move to the Island, following Winifred who had already settled here. But Arthur wasn’t finished yet, he said: “I spoke to my agent to see if there was any work here and he booked me in playing at Warners and I continued to play at Norton Grange until I was about 90.”
Arthur has two children, Graham and Christine, and five grandchildren, Aaron, Brogan, Taylor, Guy and Joshua.
There will be a big family celebration at The Vine, Freshwater.
