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Missing: War, Sacrifice and the Search for Justice
The tragic story of a WWII fighter pilot’s brutal sacrifice and the painstaking search for the truth.
Not all casualties in wartime occur on the frontline; when a loved one is posted “Missing,” hope and fear bloom in the hearts of those who wait for news. Lives can fray when that wait extends to years.
Squadron Leader Daryl Sproule, DFC was a hero. The young and dashing Hobart lawyer was a fighter pilot, a survivor of the carnage in the skies over Singapore, a champion sportsman and the touchstone in the life of his single mother. When his aircraft was shot down over New Britain in August 1943, his wingmen saw him land it close to a beach, wade ashore and disappear into the jungle.
In Hobart, Irene Sproule was informed that her son was “Missing.” Two years later, Daryl was still missing, his fate unknown. It would take another two years for the full, deplorable story to be unravelled and the consequences of a wartime atrocity to be played out to a conclusion. In those years, a mother and a brother would have their lives changed brutally, and forever.
Missing is the story of the nightmare that haunts all those who have farewelled their loved ones as they leave for war …
Not all casualties in wartime occur on the frontline; when a loved one is posted “Missing,” hope and fear bloom in the hearts of those who wait for news. Lives can fray when that wait extends to years.
Squadron Leader Daryl Sproule, DFC was a hero. The young and dashing Hobart lawyer was a fighter pilot, a survivor of the carnage in the skies over Singapore, a champion sportsman and the touchstone in the life of his single mother. When his aircraft was shot down over New Britain in August 1943, his wingmen saw him land it close to a beach, wade ashore and disappear into the jungle.
In Hobart, Irene Sproule was informed that her son was “Missing.” Two years later, Daryl was still missing, his fate unknown. It would take another two years for the full, deplorable story to be unravelled and the consequences of a wartime atrocity to be played out to a conclusion. In those years, a mother and a brother would have their lives changed brutally, and forever.
Missing is the story of the nightmare that haunts all those who have farewelled their loved ones as they leave for war …
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2023
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 20, 2023
Squadron Leader Daryl Sproule was many things – pilot, lawyer, champion sportsman, fiancé, brother, loved son and hero. This is his story.
Missing is Ian W. Shaw’s tenth book. It follows Daryl’s life, from family origins in Tasmania, to football days and education, onto serving in the skies over Malaya, Singapore, and New Britain in WWII.
I particularly enjoyed the Tasmanian element. I learned so much about the history of my own state – who would’ve guessed sleepy Southport was once a thriving metropolis? These were familiar names and places, vividly brought to life – especially wartime Hobart. This connection meant Daryl’s story resonated deeply.
The author clearly shares Daryl’s immense passion for Aussie Rules football! I didn’t expect so much footy talk, but it was heart-warming to read of Australian servicemen setting up competitions while abroad. Of course, with war raging, these competitions felt like the calm before the storm.
“There was a palpable sense that a larger game was about to be played and they now needed to be ready for that.”
Australia’s lack of resources and unpreparedness was frustrating, though the courage of our pilots certainly made up for this – Daryl was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
“He fired the Kittyhawk’s machine guns and dropped two bombs on the target but, as he went to pull out of the attack, he realised that something was wrong with his aircraft.”
At the heart of the story, was Daryl’s relationship with his single mother, Irene. The inclusion of wartime letters between them was touching. It was interesting to note differences in letters sent to his mother (reassuring) and those sent to his brother, Basil (highlighting dangers). There’s also a memorable Notes section, concerning page 184 and other relationships.
With a title like, Missing, tragedy was inevitable. My heart broke at the way Irene received the news.
“The day after learning officially of her son’s death, Irene donned black clothes in mourning. She would wear black clothes every day for the rest of her life.”
The last section of Missing was impossible to put down. It was heartening to learn the lengths people went to uncover the truth behind Daryl’s disappearance. Ian drew extensively from official files to recreate the war crimes trial. It resulted in courtroom scenes that were as gripping to read as the aerial battles. I felt all the emotions – especially not already knowing the outcome of the trial. I like to think Daryl, a lawyer himself, watched on and was quite proud of Prosecutor Bert Dick’s performance.
Missing is a well-researched book that will stay with me. Ian W. Shaw has written a fine tribute to a remarkable young man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
From one Tasmanian to another – thank you, Squadron Leader Daryl Sproule – for everything.
Many thanks to Big Sky Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Missing is Ian W. Shaw’s tenth book. It follows Daryl’s life, from family origins in Tasmania, to football days and education, onto serving in the skies over Malaya, Singapore, and New Britain in WWII.
I particularly enjoyed the Tasmanian element. I learned so much about the history of my own state – who would’ve guessed sleepy Southport was once a thriving metropolis? These were familiar names and places, vividly brought to life – especially wartime Hobart. This connection meant Daryl’s story resonated deeply.
The author clearly shares Daryl’s immense passion for Aussie Rules football! I didn’t expect so much footy talk, but it was heart-warming to read of Australian servicemen setting up competitions while abroad. Of course, with war raging, these competitions felt like the calm before the storm.
“There was a palpable sense that a larger game was about to be played and they now needed to be ready for that.”
Australia’s lack of resources and unpreparedness was frustrating, though the courage of our pilots certainly made up for this – Daryl was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
“He fired the Kittyhawk’s machine guns and dropped two bombs on the target but, as he went to pull out of the attack, he realised that something was wrong with his aircraft.”
At the heart of the story, was Daryl’s relationship with his single mother, Irene. The inclusion of wartime letters between them was touching. It was interesting to note differences in letters sent to his mother (reassuring) and those sent to his brother, Basil (highlighting dangers). There’s also a memorable Notes section, concerning page 184 and other relationships.
With a title like, Missing, tragedy was inevitable. My heart broke at the way Irene received the news.
“The day after learning officially of her son’s death, Irene donned black clothes in mourning. She would wear black clothes every day for the rest of her life.”
The last section of Missing was impossible to put down. It was heartening to learn the lengths people went to uncover the truth behind Daryl’s disappearance. Ian drew extensively from official files to recreate the war crimes trial. It resulted in courtroom scenes that were as gripping to read as the aerial battles. I felt all the emotions – especially not already knowing the outcome of the trial. I like to think Daryl, a lawyer himself, watched on and was quite proud of Prosecutor Bert Dick’s performance.
Missing is a well-researched book that will stay with me. Ian W. Shaw has written a fine tribute to a remarkable young man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
From one Tasmanian to another – thank you, Squadron Leader Daryl Sproule – for everything.
Many thanks to Big Sky Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2023
Daryl Maxwell Sproule was born on 3 October 1917 in Hobart,TAS, to Albert Walter(d. 23 August 1967) and Irene Pansy Sproule (nee McDevitt 1893-13 July 1962) of Sandy Bay, Tasmania. He had an older brother named Basil Stuart Sproule (1914-1992). Daryl was the apple of his mother's eye. Irene disliked authority and was very ambitious, so she never liked being told what to do and almost always ignored sound advice. Daryl studied and worked in law and was a competent sportsman. He enlisted in the RAAF on 8 January 1940 (at Parafield SA).Daryl started operational flying at the commencement of Japanese operations in Malaya and was awarded the DFC "for consistently displaying exceptional skill and courage against greatly superior forces and was credited with shooting down one enemy fighter. Returning to
Australia, he continued operational flying and was appointed flight commander of No 77 Squadron. Throughout his long period of active operations against the enemy, Squadron Leader Sproule’s sustained gallantry and devotion to duty has been a most valuable asset to his squadron."
Then Kittyhawk pilots of No. 77 Squadron attacked five Japanese barges on 2nd August 1943 during a sweep along the south coast of New Britain between Gasmata and Jacquinot Bay. Eighteen Kittyhawks took part in this sweep, led by Flight Lieutenant Sproule, who had been appointed to command the squadron the day before. When making a daring low-level attack near the Lindenhafen plantation, Sproule’s Kittyhawk was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crash-landed on the beach. Sproule went MIA when Bostons of No. 22 Squadron returned to the area in the afternoon and destroyed the crashed aircraft. The truth of Daryl's fate would only come to light years after WWII ended. From the extensive investigations and trials carried out, it was determined that he died a torturous death as a POW whilst attempting to escape Japanese captivity in New Britain on 16 August 1943. Irene was shattered when she heard the truth and wore black for the rest of her life. Basil survived the war and named his son in tribute to his brother. Daryl Sproule is buried in Lae War Cemetery in PNG.
Australia, he continued operational flying and was appointed flight commander of No 77 Squadron. Throughout his long period of active operations against the enemy, Squadron Leader Sproule’s sustained gallantry and devotion to duty has been a most valuable asset to his squadron."
Then Kittyhawk pilots of No. 77 Squadron attacked five Japanese barges on 2nd August 1943 during a sweep along the south coast of New Britain between Gasmata and Jacquinot Bay. Eighteen Kittyhawks took part in this sweep, led by Flight Lieutenant Sproule, who had been appointed to command the squadron the day before. When making a daring low-level attack near the Lindenhafen plantation, Sproule’s Kittyhawk was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crash-landed on the beach. Sproule went MIA when Bostons of No. 22 Squadron returned to the area in the afternoon and destroyed the crashed aircraft. The truth of Daryl's fate would only come to light years after WWII ended. From the extensive investigations and trials carried out, it was determined that he died a torturous death as a POW whilst attempting to escape Japanese captivity in New Britain on 16 August 1943. Irene was shattered when she heard the truth and wore black for the rest of her life. Basil survived the war and named his son in tribute to his brother. Daryl Sproule is buried in Lae War Cemetery in PNG.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews