William Cecil Parker

Name

William Cecil Parker
5/1/1886

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

31/05/1916
28

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Leading Signalman
216680
Royal Navy
H.M.S. "Defence."

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

British War and Victory medals

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
13
United Kingdom

Headstone Inscription

Not Researched

UK & Other Memorials

Hatfield War Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield

Pre War

William Cecil was born 5th January, 1886, in Hatfield and the son of William George and Lois Parker, later of Hatfield, Herts.

In the 1891 Census William (junior) aged 3, was living with his parents and younger sister at Newtown Cottages, Hatfield. His father was working as a carpenter. They were still there in 1901 and his father was still a carpenter (G.N.R) and there were now three daughters. In 1911 only William (senior) has been found living with one of his daughters, Lily Agnes, he was still a carpenter, his listed as married, but Lois is absent.

Wartime Service

William was Leading Signalman 216680. (Dev), in the Royal Navy in H.M.S. Defence

The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of September 1914, in the first list of men mobilized from Hatfield, recorded: “Parker, Cecil – Newtown – On H.M.S. Defence." then in January 1916 in “Letters from the Front  - “H.M.S. ‘Defence’ Dec 21 1915 - I am afraid this Xmas-tide will be a very dull one, especially here, as we can do nothing else but treat it as an ordinary day, excepting in our thoughts; we must think of home and the dear ones we are out to protect from the fiendish Hun.  I really wish I could write a nice letter, but besides the censor not allowing any interesting articles to leak out, I am a very poor letter writer, but suffice it to say, I am very proud to have the pleasure of saying that I am one of a good many thousands who are keeping the seas clear of the Hun, thereby greatly assisting our fellow service (the Army), though we should be better satisfied if they would come out of Fleet Street (Kiel Canal) and give us what we have been waiting so long for. ‘a good fight,’ and though we are termed the silent Navy, there is nothing on this earth that is so active, including, of course, the sea in the word ‘earth.’  There are things taking place every day all for the benefit of the country which must be kept secret from our public to prevent our enemies from knowing; and, as a parting word, if only our public could be made to see and think it over that their food which they consume every day has to be escorted safely into port by ‘Our  Silent Navy,’ I don’t, think they would worry so much about us, thereby disturbing the gentlemen who ‘pull the strings.’  Now I must close this short note, hoping the best of health is being enjoyed by all.  I should like to send my best wishes for a happy Xmas and bright and prosperous New Year and the best of luck to all the boys of Hatfield serving the colours.

William C. Parker, Leading Signaller

Then in July 1916: “Killed in Action – Cecil Parker.  Though our great naval victory thrilled every breast with pride in the achievements of our splendid Navy when once the full value of their triumph was properly understood, yet there are, alas, many sad hearts breast of those they loved well by the loss of the “Defence” the “Queen Mary” and other ships.  Amongst the bereaved, for whom very great sympathy is felt is Mrs Panter of Newtown whose gallant son Cecil went down in H.M.S. “Defence”.  We quote a private letter lately received to show how fine a deed was shared in by all on board this ship.  “News comes in from various quarters telling of the splendid conduct of those three small ships the “Defence” “Black Prince” and “Warrior”.  The Flag-Ship “Defence” went knowingly – leading the way- to almost certain destruction to save a critical situation.   This they achieved before the two former ships sank.  I do not know whether all the details will appear, but this is what happened”. – Is not such a death worthy of all thankfulness?  May the sad Mother and sisters be helped to feel it so."

HMS Defence was a Minotaur-class armoured cruiser built for the Royal Navy in the mid-1900s. She was the last armoured cruiser built for the Royal Navy. She was stationed in the Mediterranean when the First World War began and participated in the pursuit of the German battle cruiser SMS Goeben and light cruiser SMS Breslau. Defence was transferred to the Grand Fleet in January 1915 and remained there for the rest of her career.  Defence was sunk on 31 May 1916 during the Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of the war. Escorting the main body of the Grand Fleet, the ship was fired upon by one German battle cruiser and four dreadnoughts as she attempted to engage a disabled German light cruiser. She was struck by two salvoes from the German ships that detonated her rear magazine. The fire from that explosion spread to the ship's secondary magazines, which exploded in turn. There were no survivors. (Wikipedia)

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal

Additional Information

William  is also commemorated on the family headstone in Bishop's Hatfield (St. Luke) Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:

Acknowledgments

Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)