South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


L/Corporal M2/076878 Alfred Ewart PARSONS - 4th M. T. Coy, Army Service Corps

Died of Wounds (Accidental) on Wednesday 19th January 1916 aged 19

grave for ae parson


Military History

     
Theatre of War Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
Home Did not serve abroad Leamington Spa (Whitnash Road) Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
Not applicable ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Leamington Spa St. Mary's Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted  
Died of wounds received in an accident After 15th January 1915   
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units       Other War Memorials
Bristol Royal Infirmary   
     

Circumstances of Death

Alfred was accidentally shot in the stomach while on the firing ranges in Chipping Sodbury and died of those wounds in Bristol Royal Infirmary on 19th January 1916. The following report was carried by the Kenilworth Advertiser on Saturday 29th January 1916.

Leamington Soldier's Tragic Death - Accidentally Shot by a Colleague

The Bristol Coroner held an inquest on Friday concerning the death of Lance-corporal Alfred Ewart Parsons (20), 494th Company, Mechanical Transport, A.S.C., who was accidentally shot at Chipping Sodbury by a comrade. Deceased's home was at 5, Loxm street, Leamington.

Sergeant-Major Richard Smith said on Tuesday he and others were trying a new rifle, which had been brought from Ireland. In the belief that the rifle was not loaded, he pulled the trigger, when the rifle went off, and the shot entered Parsons, who was about three yards away. He explained that it was the failure of the mechanism when another soldier was trying the rifle that led him to believe that the rifle was not loaded.

The Coroner said there was apparently some rule in the mechanism of the rifle, and Smith was entitled to conclude that it was empty. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death".

alfred parsons funeral


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Oct Qtr 1896 in Leamington Spa   
   
Parents Names Abode
George and Jane Parsons  5 Leam Street, Leamington Spa
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1896 - Leamington Spa  1911 - Errand Boy aged 14 
1901 - 5 Leam Street, Leamington Spa 1914 - Mechanic with T Main Company  
1911 - 5 Leam Street, Leamington Spa   
1914 - 5 Leam Street, Leamington Spa  
 
  • Brother of Joseph Parsons who also fell