Military History

Raymond is listed as being killed in action on 25th September 1915, the first day of the Battle of the Loos. The brief 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 24th to 26th September are transcribed below along with an Obitury published in the Stratford Herald.

24th Sept 1915 - In the Trenches: Wet day. Casualties 3 other ranks.

25th Sept 1915 - In the trenches- 5.50am: Our bombardment ceased. Our advance commenced at 6.30am. Took German front line trench then [their] support trench then on to the Quarries as far as St. Elie. Captured about 60 prisoners and arrived at this position [not stated] at 9.30am. Kept it till after dark when we had to retire owing to the 9th Division on our left retiring. Occupied Quarries until midnight when we took up a position in support trench 400 yards west of Quarries. The battalion suffered casualties of 72 killed (including Frank), 177 wounded and 273 missing leaving the battalion with just 140 men.

26th Sept 1915 - In the Trenches: The Regiment moved along the same trench further to the right to connect up with the 21st Brigade. Lt H.P. Williams 3rd Reserve Battalion joined and took over the remains of the Battalion in the trenches.

Stratford Herald - Friday 8th September 1916
DEATH PRESUMED - LANCE CORPORAL R.G. PARKER

Mr. and Mrs. Parker of Bull Street have received a communication from the Infantry Record Office, Warwick stating that as no further news has been received of Lance Corporal Raymond George Parker, 25, of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who has been missing since September 25th 1915, the Army Council has been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead. 

Parker was stationed at the Isle of Wight at the outbreak of war and went out with the draft just before Christmas 1914. He saw a good deal of fighting in the Armentiers locality where he was wounded in the side and legs by shell fire. His injuries having been temporarily attended to, he returned to England on board the Asturias. He was then sent to Cambridge hospital where he made a quick recovery. Early in February 1915 he returned to Stratford on a few days leave before proceeding to Parkhurst.