Name
Walter Parker
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/05/1915
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
8123
Northamptonshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 28 to 30.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Christchurch Memorial, Little Heath, Potters Bar, Little Heath & Bentley Heath Memorial, Potters Bar, All Souls Chapel Book of Remembrance, Potters Bar, Not on the Weston memorials
Pre War
Walter Shaw Parker was born in Weston, Hitchin in 1886, the son of George (Shaw) Parker, agricultural labourer, and Mary (nee Warby)
On the 1881 census, his father is recorded as George Shaw Parker and the family appear in subsequent censuses with the family name as Parker, yet the births of all the children were registered as Shaw Parker! The family were recorded as parents, Florence Louis (born 1876), Mary Ann (born 1878), Susannah (born 1880) and living at Fray Cottages, Weston, Hitchin.
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Florence Louise, Mary Ann, Susan, James, Walter, George, Matilda (born 1899)., James (born 1882), Elizabeth Lizzie (born 1884), Walter, and George (born 1889) were living at Farm Cottage, Weston.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Mary Ann (a domestic), James & Walter (nursery garden boys), Matilda (born 1894), Lily (born 1899, Helen (born 1889), Gladys & Edith May (born 1901) were living at Darke Lodge Cottages, South Mimms.
In 1906 Walter was a gardener working for Mr Morgan at the Osborn Nurseries and living at 14 Frampton Road, Little Heath with his parents, George and Mary Parker and siblings. He attested on 21 Feb 1906 at Barnet joining the Militia with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. He enlisted in the Northamptonshire Regiment on 1 Sep 1906.
On the 1911 Census: Walter was serving with the Northamptonshire Regiment, 2nd Bn., in Malta at Floriana Barracks (his birthplace recorded as Barnet). His parents, George, Matilda, Lily, Nellie (Helen), Gladys, and Herbert (born 1903) were living at 14 Frampton Road, Little Heath.
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Walter. 1st Battalion Northants Regiment were stationed at Blackdown, Hants at the outbreak of the Great War and Walter with the 1st Battalion deployed to France landing at Le Havre on 13 Aug 1914 as part of 2 Brigade, 1st Division. Walter fought at Mons (23-24 Aug 1914) and was in the retreat, The Marne (6-9 Sep 1914), Aisne (9 Sep- 1 Oct 1914) and 1st Ypres (19 Oct-22 Nov 1914), On 9 May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Walter was reported killed in action.
His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on Le Touret Memorial near Armentieres.
Additional Information
Some records incorrectly show his birthplace as Friern Barnet. War Gratuity of £5 and arrears of £18 5s 4d was paid to his father. George. Walter's father, was born to James Shaw,& Mary Bonfield: the parker as a family name was added at later census enumerations.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Martin Cope, Brenda Palmer
