Francis Robert Bircham PARMETER

23 July 1915

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND – Interesting Marriage

A wedding of some interest to this district took place on July 3rd, at the Parish Church of St. Mary, Twickenham, when Miss Edith Mary (Tiny) Bigwood, elder daughter of Mr. James Bigwood, D.L., J.P., the Lawn, Twickenham, was married to Major Robert Bircham Parmeter, of the East Surrey Regiment, eldest son of the late Mr. Frank Parmeter, and of Mrs. Parmeter, Rowland Lodge, Newcastle-on-Tyne. On account of the war the wedding was a quiet one. The bride, who was attired in pale blue silk, was given away by her father. She was attended by two bridesmaids, the Misses Molly and Barbara Langdon-Down (nieces of the bride), who were in pink. Lieut.-Col. Noel Parmeter, brother of the bridegroom, was ‘best man.’ The Rev. Prebendary H. P. Prosser, vicar of the parish, officiated, and the choir were present and sang the hymns, ‘Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us,’ ‘O Perfect Love,’ and ‘Now thank we all our God.’ There were no invitations issued, but, owing to the popularity of the bride and her father, there was a large congregation present to witness the ceremony. The honeymoon is bring spent at Newquay. The presents numbered about 70, and included a silver revolving dish from Officers’ Mess, East Surrey Regiment; travelling clock, Sergeants’ Mess; silver rose bowl, Staff of the Officers’ Mess; silver syphon stand, Orderly Room Staff; silver salver, subscribed for by members of the Twickenham Philanthropic Society; and flowers from Belgian Refugees at Twickenham.

24 October 1919

PARMETER – At Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital, Millbank, London, S.W., on the 16th inst., Lieut.-Colonel Francis Robert Bircham Parmeter, East Surrey Regiment, eldest son of Francis Parmeter, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and dearly loved husband of Edith Parmeter, The Lawn, Twickenham, Middlesex.

24 October 1919

BOLTON-BY-BOWLAND – THE LATE LIEUTENANT COLONEL PARMETER

The funeral service took place at the Memorial Chapel, Millbank Hospital, Westminster, on Saturday last, of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Robert Bircham Parmeter, eldest son of the late Mr. Francis Parmeter, of Newcastle, for a number of years agent of the Townley Estates in the Forest of Bowland, and who at one time resided at Middle Lees, Clitheroe. The body was subsequently taken to Woking for cremation.

Deceased, who was attached to the East Surrey Regiment, passed away at Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital, Millbank, S.W., after an illness of several months. Aged 48 years, he was the husband of Mrs. Edith Marian Parmeter, elder daughter of Mr. James Bigwood, D.L., J.P., (formerly Member of Parliament for the Brentford Division of Middlesex), of The Lawn, Twickenham.

When holding the rank of Major, deceased saw service on the West Coast of Africa, where he contracted malaria which resulted in his being invalided home. On the outbreak of war in 1914, however, he felt it his duty to offer his service to his country again, and organised the B Division of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary. Shortly afterwards he was appointed second in command of the Depot East Surrey Regiment at Kingston, under Lieutenant Colonel H.P. Treeby, D.S.O., where he remained until January 1918, when he was transferred as second in command of the Labour Corps Centre at Sutton.

Subsequently he was given an important position as commandant of a large internment camp in Egypt and promoted Lieutenant Colonel. It was while serving in this latter appointment that he again contracted malaria and was sent home to the 3rd London General Hospital. Complications arising, however, the Colonel was transferred to the hospital at Millbank where death occurred as stated. To a very wide circle of friends the news of his death in the prime of life will be read with the deepest regret.