The Last of the Cockleshell Heroes: A World War Two Memoir

by William Sparks, Michael Munn

In December, 1942, one of the most daring and innovative attacks on enemy shipping was launched by twelve commandos in canoes who became legendary as the Cockleshell Heroes. Of the twelve, two were unable to pursue their mission when their canoe was damaged on the submarine transporting them to France, and two came back alive. Now, for the first time, one of the two survivors, and now the only one living, William Sparks, DSM, tells his own incredible story of the Cockleshell Heroes, a personal account of courage, danger and survival. This is not just the story of what was perhaps the most daring raid undertaken by the commandos during the war and the intensive training programme that prepared them for it, but it is also the true and remarkable account of a desperate escape by Marine Sparks and Major 'Blondie' Hasler across German-occupied France. For nearly three months while they desperately sought assistance from the suspicious French Resistance and dodged German soldiers at every turn, Sparks and Hasler found themselves in a seemingly futile attempt to avoid capture and certain death. How they survived the raid and escaped to Spain, as told in Sparks' own words, is a tale more thrilling, daring and nail-biting than any invention by writers of fiction.

186 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Crissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read about Operation Frankton without any deviations from what happened. The author relates his tale, including the fate of his colleagues (to the best of his knowledge - all gleaned from records after the war), his journey through France and Spain in an effort to get home and his thoughts regarding the people who helped, sometimes reluctantly, to make it so. More poignantly, are his efforts to make sure that the rest of the Cockleshell heroes received their accolade after their brave efforts to tackle the enemy.

[Phil Altimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story of one of the heroes of the cockleshell heroes, I had seen the film many times and when I saw this book I just had to read it
In WW2 these guys took a submarine to France and then used kayaks to plant mines on Germany ships. Some made it back some didn’t , this guy managed to plant his bombs and escape into the French country side
He was then helped back to England by the French resistance
It’s a truly humbling read ….

[Ram · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible story of raw courage in enemy territory by two British officers. They were part of a secret mission sent to jeopardise enemy lines in France, the team gets separated. Rest of the team went their separate ways to escape back into Britain but could not make it, only two come back in extremely difficult and trying circumstances.