No.R/624, Able Seaman, Frederick William PARNELL
Aged 20
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Frederick William Parnell was born in Poslingford on 12th September 1897 (Risbridge Q4-1897 4A:769), baptised in Poslingford St Mary's on 1st January 1898,
son of Walter Warren and Eliza PARNELL (née RIVETT).
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at Shepherd and Dog, Poslingford with his father Walter W [45] innkeeper born in Mayland, Essex, his mother Eliza [43] born Clare; brothers Harry [14] farm labourer and his twin brother Walter W; sister Catherine P [17] and Ethel E [12]. All the children were born in Poslingford. 1911 census...Aged 13, he was at The Shepherd and Dog, Poslingford with his parents; sister Catherine and brother Harry and Walter. His mother had borne 12 children but 3 had since died. An elder brother Edward had served from June 1902 in the 4th ad the 5th Dragoon Guards, with 6 years in South Africa (1902 to 1908) before discharge through ill health on 11th May 1917, |
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He enlisted initially on 5th June 1916 and placed on Army Reserve until 17th January 1917 when he was discharged and enrolled in the Royal Navy Division.
He gave his date of birth as 12th September 1897, a farm labourer, address Shepherd and Dog Inn, Poslingford, where father Walter W Parnell was innkeeper.
He was 5 feet 5.25 inches (165.8 cm)tall, weighed 114 lbs (51.9 kg) chest 34.5" (87.6), brown hair, blue eyes and Church of England. In August 1914 there were 20,000 to 30,000 Naval Reservists more than was needed to man the ships, so 2 Naval Brigades and one Marine brigade were formed to fight on land. It was No 2 Naval Brigade, which became the 189th Brigade, to which the Anson battalion was attached and to which Frederick was posted. Since he died of his wounds there is no way of telling exactly when or where he was wounded but the brigade was fighting the the 3rd battle of Ypres at the end of October/beginning of November 1917. They had just taken Varlet Farm, south east of Poelcappelle.
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
