South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 15505 Thomas Henry PARKES - 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment


Died of wounds on Sunday 24th October 1915 aged 24


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
Gallipoli 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Hill 30 Cemetery, Gallipoli
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
7 July 1915 in Gallipoli ~ Hockley Heath War Memorial
    Umberslade Baptist Church 
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted  
Gallipoli Campaign On or before 5 Aug 1914 at Birmingham  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials  
Suvla Bay ~  
     

Circumstances of Death

Thomas is listed as dying of wounds on 24th October 1915 during the Gallipoli Campaign. The 8th Battalion war diary for the period 17th to 25th October is transcribed below and it is likely that he was died or was killed in Suvla Bay as the result of sniper fire while taking part in working parties.

Suvla - 17/10/15 – Reserve Area A – uneventful

Suvla - 18/10/15 – Occupied trenches – Jephson’s Post, 54, 54A

Suvla - 19/10/15 – In trenches – working parties troubled by enemy snipers – 3 casualties

Suvla - 20/10/15 – In trenches – working parties troubled by enemy snipers – 7 casualties

Suvla - 21/10/15 – In trenches – working parties troubled by enemy snipers – No casualties

Suvla - 22/10/15 – In trenches – working parties troubled by enemy snipers – 2 casualties

Suvla - 23/10/15 – In trenches – working parties troubled by enemy snipers – 5 casualties (1 killed)

Suvla - 24/10/15 – In trenches – working parties troubled by enemy snipers – Lieut A Todrick (R.A.M.C) joined the battalion. 2nd/Lt B.A. Franks killed and 2 other casualties (1 killed)

Suvla - 25/10/15 – In trenches – working parties troubled by enemy snipers – 2nd Lt W.C. Leavington & 4 other casualties (1 killed)



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1891 in Solihull District  
   
Parents Names Abode
William (deceased) and Rhoda Parkes Last known address was Solihull Workshouse
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1893 - High Street, Solihull  1901 - School age
1901 - Bandy Street, Hockley Heath 1911 - Farm Labourer
1911 - Hockley Heath  
1915 - Hockley Heath  
   
  • In 1911 Thomas's parents were resident in the Solihull Workhouse, and it is likely that his father died there in 1911
  • The Umberslade Bapist Memorial lists a T. Parkes R.N. we have been unable to find any Naval personnel who fit that name who lived
    in the Solihull area and we assume that this was inscribed in error. There is an Ordinary Seaman J25985 Thomas Henry Parkes of
    HMS Defence who was killed during the Battle of Jutland but he was born in Nuneaton and was still living there when he enlisted in 1913.