Parkes, William Henry

Warwick Cemetery 225 C 8

Age: 48
Date of birth: April 1868

Parents: Barnett Thomas and Mary Ann (nee O'Gara)
Wife: Florence Parkes nee Burke
Address: 11 Wedgnock Terrace, Lower Cape, Warwick

Occupation: Career soldier - retired

William Henry Parkes was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1868. His parents were Barnett Thomas and Mary Ann.

He married Florence Burke on 4th May 1899 at St. Mary’s Church, Warwick.

In 1901 they were living at the Budbrooke Barracks with their first child Marjorie Ida born in 1900. William was a Colour Sergeant, Infantry Regulars. The couple had 7 children in all – Majorie Ida (born 1900) William Henry (born 1902), Leslie Vincent (born 1903), Adeline Maud (born 1904), Winifred Mary (born 1909), Mary Ellen (born 1910) and Harry Maynard (born 1911).

In 1911 William was living at 39 Adelaide Street, Brierley Hill, Birmingham with his wife and now five children as William Henry jnr and Mary Ellen had died.  He had retired from the Army in 1907 and was working as a timekeeper.

Warwick Advertiser 8th April 1916
“PARKES – On the 2nd inst., Q.M.S. Parkes of Budrooke Barracks, passed peacefully away at the 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham.
His sufferings silently and patiently borne”

Warwick Advertiser 6th April 1916

Military Service

Rank & Number: Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, 1918 then 3254 (WW1)
Regiment/Service: Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Brigade/Division: Based at Budbrooke Barracks during WW1
Date of death: Sunday, April 02, 1916
Cause of death/Battle: Died in hospital at Edgbaston of 'Suppurative Cholangitis'
Commemorated/Buried: Warwick Cemetery - CWGC - 225 C 8
Awards: Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (with gratuity) 1905
Commemorated locally at:

William Henry Parkes enlisted with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in September 1886 and completed 21 years service.

During that time his service number was 1918. He is described on his Enlistment papers as 5′ 5 1/4″ tall, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.  He was working as a Brass Filer.

William served in India and Ceylon (1889-1896) before returning to Budbrooke Barracks.

In 1905, he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (with Gratuity)

His discharge papers dated 1907 described his as ‘ very good clerk.’

He rejoined the Regiment at the outbreak of war with a new service number (3254), again serving at Budbrooke Barracks.

Contributors

  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group
  • Warwick Advertiser excerpts courtesy of Warwickshire County Record Office

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