SPRAU, Pfc. Raymond C., WWII
SPRAU
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/11/2013 at 15:12:12
The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, March 19, 1942, Page 17Brothers Cable From Ireland to Parents Here
Word had been received by Mr. and Mrs. J. H. SPRAU, route four, that their sons, Private First Class Raymond SPRAU and Private Warren SPRAU, have arrived safely in Ireland with the A. E. F. Raymond cabled home that they had "arrived safely. Getting along fine. Hoping to hear from you soon."
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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Saturday, May 22, 1942, Page 8"I'll Be Home By Christmas," AEF Man Says
"I will tell you all about our trip over on Christmas. We will have it over with by then and be home, so you better get the goose on the stove and have it ready for Christmas dinner," wrote P. F. C. Raymond C. SPRAU, with the A. E. F. in Ireland to his mother, Mrs. J. H. SPRAU, route four, recently.
Like most Yankees in Great Britain, Private SPRAU finds himself puzzled over the money exchange over there . He wrote: "Over here they don't say dollars and cents . . it is pounds, 10 shilling note, shilling, three pence, half pence, six pence and florin."
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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, June 22, 1944, Page 15MEMORIAL SERVICE SUNDAY for PFC. RAYMOND SPRAU
With Patriotic Groups Participating at Grace Evangelical
Memorial service will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Grace Evangelical church for Pfc. Raymond SPRAU, son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. SPRAU, route 4, with the Rev. G. H. BAMFORD officiating and patriotic organizations participating.
Pfc. SPRAU was killed in action in Italy some time between May 16 and June 4, according to a letter received from the SPRAU'S other son, Pvt. Warren SPRAU, also stationed in Italy and witness of his brother's death. The brother left Mason City with the national guard in 1941 and had been together since that time.
Surviving besides his parents are 3 brothers in the service: Pvt. Warren SPRAU, previously mentioned as being with his brother at the time of his death; Robert SPRAU, seaman 1/c, in England; and Alvin, seaman 2/c, stationed in Rhode Island, expected to be here on leave this week; also 2 sisters, Gwendolyn and Marvel, at home.
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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, June 26, 1944, Page 11SPRAU SERVICE HELD SUNDAY
Pride in Courage of Boys, Bamford
"We have a quiet and non-assertive pride in the spirit of courage and faithfulness in which Raymond and thousands of other home-loving, peace-loving boys have laid aside their plans for civilian pursuits to answer the call of their country," said the Rev. G. H. BAMFORD, pastor of the Grace Evangelical church, in memorial services Sunday afternoon for Pfc. Raymond SPRAU, son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. SPRAU, killed in action in Italy. Approximately 225 persons attended the services.
During the service a gold star, the 3rd for the church, was placed in the service flag by Oscar JEWELL, commander of the local post of the American Legion. Prayer was offered by Elmer ZEIGLER, state chaplain of the V. F. W. Mrs. Glenn L. WALLACE sang 2 solos: "In The Sweet By and By" and "Under His Wings," accompanied by Elinor BAMFORD DILGER. Benediction was closed with Harry SPRAU, uncle of Pfc. SPRAU, sounding "Taps."
In his last letter to his parents, Pfc. SPRAU indicated the important place that prayer had come to have in his life," said Mr. BAMFORD. "All of us may well be humbled in this hour of the world's great tragedy. It is fitting that increasingly the minds and hearts of men are being turned to God.
"Our president has suggested that instead of one day being specifically set aside for prayer, each of us should daily set aside a time for prayer. And as we follow out that suggestion may we increasingly pray, not that our desires shall be granted, but that His will shall be done and that we may help to usher in a new day of peace and brotherhood for all the world. So shall these sacrifices which our young men have made and shall yet make not be in vain," concluded the pastor.
A large delegation of relatives from Meservey, the SPRAU'S former home, attended. Patriotic organizations were present with their colors.
Pfc. SPRAU'S father is a veteran of World war I.
Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2013
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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