Main CPGW Record
Surname: PARKER
Forename(s): Thomas Reid
Place of Birth: Baildon, Yorkshire
Service No: 2067
Rank: Corporal
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1916-09-02
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Thomas Reid Parker was the son of John Temple and Elizabeth Druscilla Parker, née Reid. John was born at West Marton, Yorkshire and Elizabeth at Plas-yn-Wern, Ruabon, Denbighshire, Wales. Thomas was the cousin of Private Thomas Davey (65422) (q.v.).
1901 Wrexham, Denbighshire Census: 5, Crescent Road - Thomas Reid Parker, aged 7 years, born Baildon, Yorkshire, son of John Temple and Elizabeth Druscilla Parker.
1911 Sutton-in-Craven, Yorkshire Census: 9, Wighill Street - Thomas Reid Parker, aged 17 years, born Baildon, Yorkshire, son of John Temple and Elizabeth Druscilla Parker.
The British Army Service Record for Thomas Reid Parker exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Cpl Thomas R. Parker, 2067, West Riding Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 14 April 1915.
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
PARKER, Cpl. Thos, R., aged 23, West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Parker, 17, Devonshire Terrace, Skipton, killed in action Sept. 2, 1916.
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Corporal Thomas Reid PARKER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
St Thomas's Churchyard, Sutton-in-Craven
Family gravestone
St Thomas's Churchyard, Sutton-in-Craven
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
15 September 1916
FOR THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY – ANOTHER SKIPTON TERRITORIAL KILLED
News from an official source was received last week-end of the death of another Skipton Territorial – Corporal Thos. R. Parker, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Parker, 17, Devonshire Terrace, Skipton. Twenty-three years of age, deceased was in camp at Marske with the Skipton Territorials when the war broke out, and after the customary course of training at Doncaster and Grimsby went to the front with the other local Territorials in April, 1915, and had been in the trenches about seventeen months. He was ‘gassed’ in January last, at which time he was also ‘buried’ in a dug-out by the bursting of a shell, but was safely rescued. In civil life he was, like his father, a plumber in the employ of Mr. Foster Horner, of High Street, Skipton. He was a member of the Skipton Junior Conservative Club and prior to coming to Skipton was associated with the Sutton Troop of Boy Scouts.
The sad news was conveyed to the parents in the following letter from Sec.- Lieut. J. Brennard:– “It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son in action, Corporal T. R. Parker. He was killed with a shell on the evening of September 2nd. We had him carried out of the trenches and buried him in a small cemetery just behind the line, alongside many of his comrades. It was my pleasure to recommend him for his first stripe and the fact of his getting his so quickly is proof of the great opinion his Company Officer had of him. He was one of the most promising N.C.O.’s in the Company–reliable under all conditions and possessed of a very keen sense of duty. You have my deepest sympathy in your great loss and I hope you may get some consolation in knowing that he died without pain, doing his duty faithfully, as he always did, and that he gave his life for the cause of liberty. The officers of the Company wish me to convey to you their very deepest sympathy.”
When the deceased was at home on leave at Whitsuntide, he remarked that sooner than come home crippled for life, he would prefer to be killed like a flash of lightning. Sad to say, he has had his wish, for, according to an eye witness who is in Leeds Infirmary, Corporal Parker died instantly from the effects of shell concussion–there was not a mark upon his body. Very deep sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
15 September 1916
ANOTHER SKIPTON SOLDIER KILLED
Mr. and Mrs. John Parker, of 17, Devonshire Terrace, Skipton have received information that their son, Corporal Thomas R. Parker, of the West Riding Regiment, was killed in action on September 2nd in France. When war broke out, Corporal Parker was in camp at Marske with the local Territorials when they were called up for service, and after a course of training at Doncaster and Grimsby he went to the Front with his regiment in April 1915. He had been in the trenches 17 months, and on January 19th last he was gassed and at the same time was buried, but was safely dug out. He was a member of the Skipton Junior Conservative Club, and prior to coming to reside at Skipton he was a member of the Sutton Troop of Boy Scouts. He was 23 years of age, and was formerly employed by Mr. Foster Horner, as a plumber.
In a letter to his parents, Second Lieut. J. Brennand writes:– “It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son in action, Corporal Thos. R. Parker. He was killed with a shell on the evening of September 2nd. We had him carried out of the trenches and buried him in a small cemetery just behind the line, alongside many of his comrades. It was my pleasure to recommend him for his first stripe, and the fact of his getting his promotion so quickly is proof of the great opinion his company officer had of him. He was one of the most promising N.C.O.s in the company, reliable under all conditions, and possessed of a very keen sense of duty. You have my deepest sympathy in your great loss, and I hope you may get some consolation in knowing that he died without pain, doing his duty faithfully, as he always did, and that he gave his life for the cause of liberty and honour. The officers of the company wish me to convey to you their very deepest sympathy.”
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