Name
Frederic (Peter) Parkes
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
532002
London Regiment *1
1st/15th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 13C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Andrew's Church Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance
Pre War
Son of Frederick William and Henrietta (nee COLE) PARKES of Watford.
His parents married 21 July 1892 at St Mary’s, Watford. Frederick died 6 February 1944 in Watford aged 78, and was buried 10 February in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Henrietta died 1948 in Watford aged 83, and was buried 31 May, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Frederic was born 8 February 1896 in Watford, and baptised 1 May 1896 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended Watford Grammar School from September 1904 to July 1912, and resided in Watford.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he lived in Watford, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 15, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and one sibling.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at Somerset House, London; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was reported missing 15 September 1916 in the Somme battle, presumed killed in action.
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads: “PARKES, FREDERIC. School period: September,1904, to July, 1912. Private, Civil Service Rifles. One year. Reported missing, 15th September, 1916, in Somme battle: presumed killed. ”
There is an article about Frederick in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 21 October 1916, plus another article and Death announcement in the issue dated 21 July 1917. Frederick is also commemorated on his parent's grave in Vicarage Road Cemetery
Unfortunately, Frederick’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London)
Bn. London Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own Civil Service Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
