No.203990, Private, Arthur Adam PARKER
Aged 20
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Arthur Adam PARKER was born on 13th May 1898 at 10 Withersfield Road, Haverhill (Risbridge Q3-1898 4A:775), baptised in St Mary's Haverhill on 4th June 1898,
son of Frederick and Susanna Mary PARKER (née WHITEROD)
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at 4 Station Road, Haerhill with his father Frederick PARKER [28] bus driver born Clare; his mother Susannah [30] born Cowlinge; uncle William WHITEROD [19] horse keeper, born Cowlinge 1911 census...Aged 12, he was at 1 The Pightle, Haverhill with his parents (father now an ostler), and brother Harry [9] born Haverhill. |
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He attested in Bury St. Edmunds. At the beginning of June the Battalion were having a quiet time in Reserve near Guillacourt and just 9 wounded from 1st to 5th. With no service record available and Arthur dying of wounds, there is no way of telling when or where he was wounded, but it would have been at No.4 Casualty Clearing Station that he died. The South West Suffolk Echo of 296th June 1918 reported:- "Readers will regret to learn that Pte. A. A. Parker, of the Bedfordshire Regt., son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Parker of 1 The Pightle, Haverhill, died on June 6th. as the result of wounds received while serving in France. The first news of the sad event was received from the Sister-in-charge No.4 Casualty Clearing Station, in the following letter:- "I regret to tell you your son, 203990, Pte. A. Parker, Bedfords, was admitted at eleven o'clock last night, and died at 9 am. today. He was wounded in the head, with fractured skull, and was unconscious on admission. He will be buried in the Cemetery adjoining this hospital". The Captain and Secretary of the Bedfordshire Territorial Force Association has forwarded the following letter:- "With reference the attached notification of death of your son, I am instructed by the Association to convey their deep sympathy with you in your sad bereavement. You will, I am sure, find consolation in the fact that he gave his life whilst bravely fighting for his king and country". Pte. Parker was only 20 years of age. He joined up only in 1917, and went to France when he was 19 years of age. He returned once as the result of trench feet, and had only gone back to France a month prior to his death. " |
photo from www.ww1cemeteries.com
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