Parkes Serjeant 200675
Info
| Surname | Parkes |
|---|---|
| Forename | John |
| Rank | Serjeant |
| Army No | 200675 |
| Battalion | 1/7th |
| Commissioned | Not set |
| Date Of Wounds | Not set |
| Wounds | |
| Died Killed | Not set |
| Death Details | |
| Enlisted Date | Not set |
| Enlisted Location | |
| Date Of Birth | Not set |
| Birth Place | |
| Residence | 45 Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire. |
| Discharged | Not set |
| Theatre Of War | France |
| Date Of Entry | 1915-03-31 |
| Z Class | |
| Surname Spellings | |
| Other Info | John Parkes was born at Kidderminster in 1894. He rose from the rank of private soldier in 1914 to Commanding Officer of 7th battalion Worcestershire Regiment (T.A.) in 1939. It is recorded that he began his long service with the Worcestershire Regiment two days alter the outbreak of the first world war, when he sold his civilian clothes for 2/6d. and enlisted into the Regiment. Within a month he was made a sergeant in the 1/7th Battalion and shortly after he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (London Gazette 14th January 1916) for reconnaissance behind the enemy lines in France. He was commissioned in the field and given the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was transferred to the 1/6th Battalion Gloustershire Regiment and given the acting rank of Captain whilst he commanded a Company. He was also attached to the 2/13th London Regiment with the acting rank of Captain. Jonn Parkes was awarded the Military Cross for the following unusual act of gallantry. A British aeroplane had crashed in "No Man's Land" in front of the trenches at Vimy Ridge. John Parkes, then a subaltern in the front line, dashed out and under a hail of bullets rescued the dazed pilot and brought him back to safety behind the lines, only moments before the Germans started to shell the crashed aeroplane which soon burst into flames. General Fanshawe, the Divisional Commander, later in the day personally congratulated Lieut. Parkes on his bravery. After the First World War he spent 18 months in the Middle East organising the return of Turkish prisoners of war. In 1919 he began ten years as assistant manager of the Baldwin family's Swindon steel works. He became manager at Stour Vale in 1930. The works became the first to produce what was known as wide cold reduced sheet for car bodies. His command of the 7th Battalion came about as a result of his recall to military service at the outbreak of the Second World War when he was 46 years of age. After serving in France and Belgium during the "phoney" war, he was recalled to industry in 1940—and remained so until his retirement at the age of 65. He gave his services as an adviser for a number of years. Lieut.-Colonel John Parkes, died at his home in Evesham on 1st October, 1967 (Age 73). His funeral took place at the Worcester Crematorium, Astwood Road, on 5th October 1967. |
Assignments
| 1/7th Worcestershire Regiment 2563 Serjeant |
| 1/7th Worcestershire Regiment 200675 Serjeant |
| 1/7th Worcestershire Regiment - Second Lieutenant |
| 1/6th Gloucestershire Regiment - Lieut. (Acting Capt.) |
| 2/13th London Regiment - Captain |
Service Awards
| The British War Medal |
| The 1914-1915 Star |
| The Allied Victory Medal |
Gallantry Awards & Honors
| Medal | Rank | Battalion | Engagement | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distinguished Conduct Medal | Sergt. | 1/7th | Raid (30/1/1916) | 1916-01-14 |
| Military Cross | 2/Lieut. | 1/7th | Vimy | 1917-12-17 |
Foreign Decorations & Awards
| Medal | Rank | Battalion | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| No results found. | |||
Royal Flying Corps
| Rfc Number | |
|---|---|
| Battalion Before | |
| Entry Rank | |
| Notes |
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