R. F. Sparkes

Reg Sparkes was born in 1906 in Jackson's Arm, White Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. His father was a scool teacher and gave him his first schooling. He attended school in St. John's and received his teaching certificate from Memorial Training college for Teachers. He continued his education at the University of London and received his L.C.P. and then on to Columbia, New York, where he obtained his M.A.For many years Mr. Sparkes taught school in Newfoundland and labrador and later became supervisor of schools for the province. His war service included working with the educational branch of the Canadian Legion; and acting as personnel officer for the Canadian Army during the Korean conflict.Mr. Sparkes was Newfoundland and Labrador's first Speaker of the House of Assembly in 1949 when the province first joined Canada.