Name
Walter Parr
1884
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/09/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
7325
South Wales Borderers
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOOS MEMORIAL
Panel 52.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial, Abington Square War Memorial, Northampton
Pre War
Walter Frederick Parr was born in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire in the spring of 1883, the son of Walter and Frances Parr, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Burton-on-Trent on 20 November 1883. He had an older brother Herbert Henry. At the time of his birth, his father was working as a Maltster for a brewery.
His mother died, his father remarried, and on the 1891 Census Walter was living with his father, stepmother Mary Ann and older brother Henry, at 32 George Street, Chesham, Bucks where his father was working as a Maltster.
His father died in 1898, aged 39 and on the 1901 Census, Walter, aged 16, was living with his widowed step-mother and five young step-siblings at 10 Bury Road, Hemel Hempstead. She was working as a Charwoman. Although no occupation is given for Walter, he later worked as a coal carter.
Walter enlisted with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment as a Militiaman in 1901. (This was often used as a way of supplementing low wages and was a part time voluntary force which paid a retainer in exchange for attendance at regular training sessions and an agreement to be called up to serve with the regular army should it be necessary. ) When he enlisted he gave his age as 18 years and 3 months, when he was only 16 or 17.
On the 1911 Census Walter was living with his brother Herbert, his wife Daisy and their son Walter Herbert at 139 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead and was working as a Coal Carter
Later in the same year he moved to Northampton to live and work and met May Marvesley, whom he married in 1912 in Northampton. They had a daughter, Doris who was born on 31 August 1914, and lived at 49 Robert Street, Northampton, which was in the town's Boot and Shoe Making Quarter.
His widow later gave her address on pension records as Hollowell, Northants.
Wartime Service
Walter was a reservist at the outbreak of war and volunteered for overseas service, enlisting in Hemel Hempstead in August 1914. He joined the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers and was sent to France on 10 November 1914 as part of a draft of 196 men, joining his Battalion at Zillebeke, Belgium, three days later. Having been a member of the Militia and reservist he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
He first saw action at the First Battle of Ypres and the Winter Operations of 1914-15. In May 1915 he fought in the Battle of Aubers, followed by the Battle of Loos in September. On 26 September the Battalion were at Hulluch, 3 miles east of Vermelles in France in preparation for an attack on enemy trenches. As the South Wales Borderers left their trenches they were badly held up by machine gun fire and suffered many casualties.
Walter was one of those killed in action during the attack on 26 September, aged 31. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.
Additional Information
Half brother to Charles Albert Parr who died on 3 August 1917. His widow May received a war gratuity of £5 10s and pay owing of £3 9s 6d. A share of his pay owing (£6 18s 8d) was left to his widow on behalf on his daughter according to a Form of Undertaking. His widow also received a pension of 15 shillings a week for herself and her daughter. May died in 1921, leaving Doris an orphan. Doris then went to live with her aunt Violet Marvesley and they are listed on the 1939 Register as living at 62 Moore Street, Northampton.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.hemelheroes.com., www.hemelatwar.org., www.dacorumheritage.org.uk
