Name
Samuel John Parker
1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/06/1917
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
139404
Royal Garrison Artillery
353rd Siege Battery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BERKS CEMETERY EXTENSION
II. D. 14.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Stained Glass Window, Hitchin Boys Grammar School, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Samuel was born in 1881 in Hitchin and his parents were Samuel G and Martha Parker
(née).
In 1881 the family were living at Bedford Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Samuel (25) and Martha (26), with Samuel working as a secretary To Hitchin Market Co. Their only child were Samuel at less than one month. Also present was domestic servants Eliza Taylor (13), Eliza Day (55 and a nurse).
In 1891 the family were living at 32 Beford Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with the father working as an assistant (something collector, the rest is unclear). Their children were: Samuel (10), James Henry (8), William J (6), Ethel Elizabeth (5) and Ernest Foster three months. Also present was True Care (19) a domestic servant.
He attended Hitchin Grammar School from 1892 to 1896.
In 1901 the family were living at the same address. Present were both parents, with Samuel (senior) and working as a accountant on his own accountant. Their children were now recorded as James, Ethel, Ernest, and new sibling Harold Aubrey (5).
Samuel married Florence Maud White (b 17/1/1881) in 1908. Their first child Graham John was born in 1909, and by 1911 they were living at 27 Merivale Road, Harrow On The Hill, Middlesex. Present were both parents, Samuel (30) and Florence (30). Graham John Parker 1 year 5 months. The census recorded they had been married for 2 years with 1 child, however another Hugh White was born in 1912.
Officially he was recorded as enlisting in Harrow, Middlesex.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Harrow in Middlesex as a Gunner with the Regimental Number 139404.
He was killed in action in Belgium. while a Signaller with 353 Siege Battery Royal Artillery. The Battery was equipped with 6" howitzers and was part of 36 Brigade and attached to the 3rd Australian Division in the 2nd Anzac Corps at the Battle of Messines. The Anzacs were on the right of the attack in the vicinity of Ploegsteert Wood south west of Warneton. This was at the end of the main battle.
He was buried in Plot 2, Row D, Grave 14 in the Berkshire Comer Cemetery Extension, Rosenberg Chateau, Ploegsteert, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium.
Additional Information
After his death £4 1s 7d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Florence, on 25 January 1918. Later, a war gratuity on of £3 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 10 October 1919.
His pension cards record Florence Maud Parker as his widow and as his dependant, living at 44 Percival Road, Harrow. It also records their children as Graham John (b 25/10/1909) and Hugh White (b 1/3/1912). She was awarded a grant of £5 on 25 July 1917, then a pension of 22s 11d a week from 7 January 1918, then updated to 33s 4d from 29 July 1918.
Probate was obtained by his widow on 9 November 1917, with the value of his effects £204 13s 0d.
His gravestone bears the private inscription "Faithful unto death".
Samuel is also commemorated on a family headstone in Hitchin Cemetery. The inscription reads:
SAMUEL JOHN PARKER. BORN 8TH MARCH 1881,
KILLED IN ACTION IN BELGIUM 16TH JUNE 1917.
KILLED IN ACTION IN BELGIUM 16TH JUNE 1917.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
