Parkes Family 0

Born 17/12/1890 at and father's address: Walsall Rd, Willenhall,
Father William Edmund, mother Elizabeth (formerly Fryer).
Father's occupation: hardware merchant.
(Birth Cert: registered 3/2/1891 Wolverhampton 6b 643, March 1891).
For more on parents Go here

Died: at the Manor House, Oaken, Wolverhampton, 11/1/1968. Service at Codsall Church.
Married: 14/4/1915, Ethel Ann Lister at the Wesleyan Union St, Willenhall, witnessed by both sets of parents and Gladys.

Granted Arms 5 March 1963:
"Sable on a Fess between three Stag's heads erased Or collared a Stafford Knot Vert between two Acorns proper."

with a crest on a wreath of the Colours in front of a rising Sun a Squirrel sejant on a Tree stump all proper.

Chronological summary:

After leaving Tettenhall College about 1908, he was articled to a civil engineering practice in Wolverhampton but soon joined the army and was commissioned in the Royal Engineers (21/6/1913), serving at Chatham (in M Coy, RE, ref photo) and Woolwich.

1891 Census: The family was at 6, Walsall rd in 1891.
1907, November 11: indenture as Civil Engineer Apprentice.
1909, February: passed student exams for Institute of Civil Engineers.
1912, February: passed associate exams for Institute of Civil Engineers.
1913 June 21: Special Reserve Office 2^nd Lt, Commission in DH collection
1914 Aug 4: mobilized at Aldershot, 23 Field Coy, RE section 4,
1915: Lt, RE (Civil Engineer) Fernside, The Manor, Willenhall.
1915 Feb 1: wounded in shell burst.
1915 Feb-Apr: sick leave and marriage.
1915 May 31: (2^nd Lt) Mentioned in Dispatches
1915 June 9^th: Lieutenant.
1915, June 23^rd: MC gazetted.
1915, July: Aldershot, HQ Motor Cycles.
1916, July-Nov: 23 Coy.
1916, Nov-May: No 6 Pontoon Park
1916, Dec: home leave.
1917, May 13: Leaves unit to Italy
1917, May 18: Arrives LofC Taranto
1918, Aug-Nov: attached HQ 7^th Div.
1918, September: leave with wife.
1918: Italian Campaign medal 1918
1918, December: Tortona
1919, 18 January: (Capt.): Mentioned in Dispatches
1919, April: leaves Italy.
1919: Church St, Tettenhall, Captain RE (Special Reserve) and Staff Captain (Civil Engineer).
1921: 11, Parkdale, Wolverhampton, civil engineer.
1923, 16 March: elected Associate Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
1940-45: Home Guard 24^th Staffordshire (Tettenhall) Battalion.
1944, 16 June: DL Stafford, as Lt Col.
1944, 10 Oct: JP. Certificate in DH Collection.
1946: Member of Siesdon RDC.
23/3/1967: retired as Chairman, Josiah Parkes & Sons.

Gave RJLP a Methodist Bible 14/6/1927.

Book for Advance of Pay shows AJP received cash in advance of pay (lire 150 as late as 16 April 1919, then as Staff Captain, HQ, IGC Italy.
AJP's cash books between 1914 & 1930 exist, but have not been examined in detail.

World War 1 Service

    He was mobilized at Aldershot and embarked for France as a 2nd Lieutenant in the R.E. with British Expeditionary Force, 15/8/1914, disembarking 2 days later.
     He was in the retreat from Mons according to son-in-law, DS Maitland.
     His first unit was the 23rd Field Coy, Royal Engineers (which was involved in the battle of the Marne, 5-9 September 1914, #1 Corps, 1st Div), 1st Div RE (Feb 1915, ref Photo), assigned to Section 4. This unit was employed initially on bridgework, and later on constructing fortifications and digging mines. The unit was in several actions in 1914 and 1915, including some loss of life in January 1915 in the area of Cambrin (Pas de Calais), but from the fact that there is a photograph of a fit AJP in February 1915, he appears to have survived these events: he was not among those listed as casualties. According to daughter RJLP, he was wounded about February 1915 (and again about 1916), and in April 1915 married Ethel Lister shortly before returning to France after sick leave. An X-Ray report dated 3/3/1915 showed shrapnel fragments in the right hand, arm and knee. It may be that the photograph date is incorrect.
     On 9/6/1915 he was promoted Lieutenant.
     He was awarded the Military Cross, listed in London Gazette 23/6/1915, and marked on Medal award card; the original citations have not survived in the PRO making it difficult to confirm the reason; the unit diary lists this award under "birthday honours". No indication is given in the diaries of how AJP gained the award, (son in law, DS Maitland, thought it to have been for blowing up bridges at the retreat from Mons).
     There is no mention of him in the 23rd Coy between June 1915 and his "joining the company for duty" at Baizeiux on 8 August 1916: he was probably attached to another unit during this period as the records of 1916 contain good personnel movements. (two photographs of him with the Headquarter Motor Cyclists at Aldershot exist). His address at the time was South Farnborough (see letter below). His pay at this time was £14-14-5d SR (special reserve) and £4-10-00d Eng (engineers) (total =£1050 pm 2004). This rose to £26-18-6d pm by Dec 1918 (£962 - high inflation in 1917).
     During 1916, 23rd Coy was employed on general construction work, with some enemy action, including one against "Marden's Keep" in September 1916. It may be that this was a period when he was again wounded. He finally left the 23 Coy for the "No 6 Pontoon Park" on 11/11/1916.
     No 6 Pontoon Park (which used to be known as a Bridging Train) was based at Cléty between November 1916 and March 1917, when it moved to Azincourt (about 7 miles NE of Hesdin in the Pas de Calais region). The work of this unit seemed to comprise moving heavy engineering stores (including 10000 lbs of hay!) and buildings around the area. There was no mention of any enemy action.
AJP is mentioned several times in the diary, including being on leave in England from 11-21 December, 1916.
     On 13/5/17 Lt. AJ Parkes RE leaves the unit to proceed to Italy on duty with "A.D.W. Eastern L. of C." (Assistant Director of Works Eastern Lines of Communication).
     A photograph indicates he was in England, presumably on leave, at least some time in 1917. He was appointed acting Captain 12/7/1917 and promoted Captain 8/11/1917.
     He joined the "Lines of Communication, Italy Commandants Taranto Base" in May 1917, when it was being set up, but is not mentioned in the unit's war diary after June 1917. The unit here was a/the major supply base for the Italian Campaign: AJP was probably involved in the civil works of setting up the base and its satellite units. There seemed to have been a lot of negotiation required with the Italians! Malaria was also a seasonal problem: quinine was prescribed for all. There was also an RFC airfield there. An ID card dated 7/1/1918 shows him attached to CRE, Taranto. (Commander Royal Engineers).
     From photographs, at some point, he was transferred to the Genoa/Tortona area: no mention of him has been found in the relevant diaries but they are not very detailed about junior ranks. He was presumable involved in similar work there.
     This area seemed to have been a hospital and recovery area: Portofina (in photograph album) was a convalescent home for officers. The major subsidiary base for Genoa was Arquato. There was mention of VAD nurses in the area: Mrs AJP was a VAD nurse and known to have been in Italy at the end of 1918.
     An ID Card dated 1/8/1918-30/11/1918 shows him "RE attd HQ 7th Division".
A postcard to Ethel 14 March 1919 shows the Bridge of Sighs Venice. "we did not arrive here till nearly midnight yesterday and we have to leave at 7.30 pm tomorrow so it is a rush. As usual it's most expensive". (Mrs AJP at The Manor, Willenhall).
     The 7th division was transferred to Italy after the 3rd Battle of Ypres, which ended in November 1917. It was involved in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. From 9/2/1918, the division was commanded by Brigadier General Steele, who is photographed with the King of Italy reviewing 22nd Brigade, part of the 7th division in Italy.
     A photograph of a review by the King of Italy of 22nd Brigade under General Steele, found to be on 27 November 1918 at Castelgomberto aerodrome indicates that he was present then.
     The diaries of the 22nd Brigade units at the time, were also examined, but no trace has been found (54th and 528th Field Companies). The 22nd were moved to Italy about November 1917 after the 2nd Paschendale and took part in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in the final days of WW1. This was the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (the 54th were involved in this action).
     Prints in his photograph album show him at Tortona (Villa Forgana) and also has views over Portofino. Tortona is about 65km North of Genoa, and Portofino on the coast, about 20km East of Genoa. The main action in the Italian War was in the North East around Verona. According to RJLP, he was also in Taranto in Southern Italy. Tortona was a supply base, established in May 1917: it was on the railway line used to move the British Division into Northern Italy in November 1917 to support the Italians against the Austrians (who were fighting in the Verona/Vicenza area).
    He finished the war with Victory & British medals and the 1914 Star.
    According to RJLP, he was in Sicily at the end of the war and travelled to Stresa meet up with wife who was a nurse.

Post 1st War
     When his father, WE Parkes , died in 1920 he left the army and joined his brother CWP (who had been expected to run the works alone) in JP&S. After the 1st War armistice, he lived briefly in Prees Heath, Cheshire (while still in the Army) before moving to 11 Parkdale, Wolverhampton, and then to the Manor House (Oaken, Wolverhampton) in 1929, which he rented before buying it later; the rent in 1942 was £695. He bought the Manor House from the estate of R.M.Shelton in July/August 1945 for £5500, including 13 acres and a small cottage, "The Thatch". The Shelton family owned much of Oaken up to the 2nd War. He continued to live at the Manor House after his wife's death until he died, being looked after by his cook Mrs Jones (the widow of a miner killed in a major pit disaster in Wrexham in the 1930's) and later by another couple, Mr. & Mrs. Saxby. He had a gardener, "Butters" who lived in cottage on the property. When his daughters were young, the house had 2 maids and "Nanny", who lived with them until her death during the War.
   Brought up as a Methodist (he gave daughter a Methodist bible in 1927), he became active in the Codsall Parish, as a Church Warden and a long time member of Codsall Parochial Church Council, and a member of the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance in 1965, retiring in 1967. He commissioned a window at Codsall Parish Church to his wife in 1951.
     Appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Staffordshire 4/7/1944, and Justice of the Peace 4/10/1944. A3M remembers being taken to the Quarter Sessions in Stafford in the 1950's - not very exiting for a young lad! Member of Siesdon Rural District Council 1946/7 for the parish of Codsall (won by 525 votes to 437 & 236 for the competition).

2nd War
     In the 2nd war, after France fell in 1940 he took an active part in the formation of the Local Defence Volunteers which after a couple of months became the Home Guard, he became the Lt. Col. commanding the 24th Battalion (Tettenhall) of the South Staffordshire Home Guard. A3M remembers as a boy shooting in the garden at the Manor House, AJP's .38" Webley Army Issue revolver owned by AJP.
     Went to Northern Ireland about May 1943.

      AJP was always an enthusiastic sportsman, riding to hounds and playing tennis in his younger day. Family photographs show him looking sporting and swimming on summer holidays. In later life he was a demon croquet player, playing for the County.
     He had several classic British cars: a 3 litre Rover before the war and a Bristol, & 2 Alvis's after. Like many of his generation and background, he was a patriot and would not allow any non British cars (incl Fords) at JP&S!
He tried to remarry in 1962 to a Mrs Elmer Salzman, 1818 Oliver Avenue South, Minneapolis. He sent her a gift of 5 cut, unmounted diamonds (value for customs £1078), which she returned to him. He gave them to his grand-daughter, Carol Ann, and gave Antony the equivalent cash.
He was an accomplished amateur artist, exhibiting his work at some exhibitions.
From Sue Poulson[i], one time librarian in Codsall now resident in Telford (6/2005):
Some of my memories of your grandfather - every Christmas he used to bring a tin of Huntley & Palmer biscuits to the Staff at the library. He wore a camel hair overcoat with leather cuffs. He read history and military history. When my husband serviced the Alvis he gave him 3d as a tip!

BUSINESS: JP&S and Others
He spent much time in JP&S travelling around the world on sales business (A3M remembers the fascination of receiving (illegible) post cards from exotic parts of the world - good for stamp collections!). He was Chairman of JP&S 1964-67 and a director of Chubb and Sons 1966-67, retiring 31/3/1967 after 47 years, leaving directions that Will Egar should be Executive Chairman of JP&S, and DSM & EC Fryer (his cousin) should be joint MD's. For more information about Josiah Parkes & Sons .
     Owned the Crane Foundry and sold it in 25/6/1945 to Qualcast for £92000 equivalent Qualcast shares, shared with WCP and the Fellows family. AJP & EAP share: £11925.
In 1927, AJP visited Poland, flying to Warsaw, with a view to looking at the Polish market: He put a proposal together for a joint manufacturing venture with a local group. This did not go ahead: a report by the JP&S accountants was very discouraging! In view of the events some 12 years later, it was a good thing they did not!
1936 service agreement with Josiah Parkes & Co. as Joint MD. Annual salary £1600 plus 5% of net profits in excess of 10% of issued and paid up capital wef 2 September 1936, the date from which the company acquired the business.

AJ Parkes Married 14/4/1915, Weslyan Chapel, Union St, Willenhall:

ETHEL ANN PARKES (LISTER)

AM03/04

St Catherine's House 8/11/93: No trace found.
For more on Ethel Ann Lister - see Lister file.

Issue of Arthur and Ethel (Lister) Parkes:

1/1. Rosemary Joyce Lister Parkes

Born 14/6/1919, Church Hill, Tettenhall
Married 11/1941, Codsall Church, Donald Sidney Maitland.
Died: 12/7/2004 at The Dower House, Oaken, home for 48 years.
Cremated Telford, 20/7/04 with service at Codsall Church

See RJLM Text file for full details.
2/1. Antony Maitland
2/2. Eleanor Lindley Maitland,

born 6/2/1949 at High Elms, Codsall.

1/2. Elizabeth Ursula Parkes (always known as Bunch).

Born 18/4/1921, Wolverhampton.
Died: May 1972, Exton House, Winchester, Hampshire.
Married:
Peter Lindley Waddell, Codsall Church, 18 October 1941.
PLW was born 15/7/1919, Parbold, Lancs, son of Ivor Lindley & Gladys (Howarth) Waddell.

The Waddell name seems to have originated in Scotland, Midlothian according to some websites; Antony Maitland, while flying in Norway, noted a place called Wadahl (about 100 miles NNW of Oslo airport, N6130 E00950) – were the Waddell ancestors Norse invaders from this valley (..dahl is valley in Norway)?

ILW was a doctor, and was a doctor and chief medical officer of the London and Scottish Railway Company. Gladys came from Parbold, Lancashire, but spent a good deal of time when PLW was young touring Europe with her brother. Peter's first school was therefore in St Jean de Luz, followed by the Dragon School, Oxford, & Charterhouse.
He spent a gap year (unusual at that time) learning French in Tours for 6 months and German for 6 months in Munich. The war broke out after his first year at Cambridge and he abandoned his law degree after his 2nd year (he said he would not have got a degree, anyway), to join the Royal Corps of Signals. His division was on embarkation leave for the Far East (all subsequently captured at Singapore) when it was discovered that he was and Olympic class skier and he was diverted, 48 hours before departure, to Iceland with tropical kit.
Joined BP after War, then hardware business then laundries - see separate file on Marie Blanche Ltd.

He was picked for the British team in the Winter Olympics in December 1939 in Japan which had been cancelled. He was in the first post war Olympics in 1948 but could not ski in his event because of an injury the previous day in practice. He was non-skiing captain in 1952 and manager in 1956.
He managed to ski, mostly in Klosters, every winter, except for during the war from about 1930 until he died.

Peter knew Donald Maitland and Rosemary Parkes at Cambridge, having been at school with Donald. He met Bunch through Rosemary, and appeared at Bunch's parents 25th Wedding Anniversary as Rosemary's boyfriend to avoid trouble as Bunch was very young then.

Bunch was educated, like her sister, at Bredenbury prep school near Tenbury Wells, and then at Lawnside, Malvern. She spent about a year in Paris in 1938/39.

Bunch and Pete lived until about 1964 at Upper Jordan, Worplesdon, near Guildford, before moving to Exton House, Hampshire.

Issue of Peter and Bunch Waddell:
2/1. Carol Ann Waddell,

born Oaken 31/8/1942, died 15 January 2008, cremation 22 January, Odiham.
Married 3/8/1963: Jeremy Patrick Dawson Moore, born 17/3/1938, died 1/10/2005, son of Norman Frederick Alexander and Mary Grace (Sheppard) Moore. NFAM had sister called Lorna, MM had sisters Helen & Nancy. JPDM was educated at King's School, Canterbury and then at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth (1956), a sub-Lt 1958. Was submariner, which he enjoyed but was moved to surface ships after collapsing a lung during a practice escape. Surface did not suit and he left to join Vickers Shipbuilding in Barrow in Furness. In the late 1960's they moved to Hampshire.
Jeremy Moore's Family
Issue:
3/1. Sophie Louise Moore, born Woking, 15/12/1964.
3/2. Julian Lindley Branthwayt Moore,

born Kendal, 13/3/1967.
Married, 22/7/06 Chelsea Old Town Hall.
4/1. Jayda Moore DOB 6th July 09 3.62 KG 54 cm long

2/2. Angela Rosemary Waddell, born Oaken, 23/5/1944.

Married 6/3/1965: Antony Thomas Baldwin, born 19/8/1941, Nuneaton, son of Thomas Alfred (6/3/1909 - 1969) and Dorothy Jean (Povey-Harper, 1919-1959) Baldwin. ATB has brothers John (married to Christine, living in Herefordshire, with children Stephen, Sheila and Rebecca) & William (married to Ann). TAB was son of Thomas Baldwin of Derby and had siblings Audrey, Hilda & Ray. DJP-H was daughter of Frederick Povey-Harper (a coal mining engineer from Nuneaton), and had sisters Valerie and Mary. FPH had brothers Clifford and Kenneth.
Issue of Antony & Angela Baldwin:
3/1. Clare Baldwin, born 22/7/1966,

Married, March 1994 in Klosters, Michael Stockford, born 9/12/1958, Westcliffe on Sea, son of Frederick & Sylvia Stockford.
Issue:
4/1. Victoria Elizabeth Stockford, born 3/8/1997.
4/2. Emily Ann Stockford, 28/5/2000.
4/3. Lucy Stockford, 22/1/2002.

3/2. Natasha Baldwin, born 8/12/1968

Married 16/5/1998 Dogmersfield, Andrew Chappell, son of Tony & Vivienne Chappell.
4/1. Oliver Anthony Cortlandt Chappell,

born London, 23/2/2002.

4/2. Toby Jack Alexander Chappell, born 14/11/2007.

Indenture of Apprenticeship

(P30-10)
(Firm in fact Berrington, Son and Martin, Bank Buildings, W'ton)
This Indenture, made the eleventh day of November One Thousand Nine Hundred and Seven Between William Edmund Parkes, Lock Manufacturer, of Fernside, Willenhall, in the County of Stafford, of the first part, Arthur Josiah Parkes, son of the said William Edmund Parkes, of the second part, and Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Civil Engineer, of the third part, Witnesseth that in consideration of the sum of two hundred Guineas now paid to the said RICHARD EVANS WILLOUGHBY BERRINGTON by the said William Edmund Parkes on the execution whereof the receipt of which sum of two hundred guineas the said RICHARD EVANS WILLOUGHBY BERRINGTON hereby acknowledges, and in consideration also of the services of the said Arthur Josiah Parkes to be done or performed to or for the said RICHARD EVANS WILLOUGHBY BERRINGTON, and the covenants and agreements hereinafter entered into by the said William Edmund Parkes, The said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington at the request of the said William Edmund Parkes for himself and his heirs and executors hereby covenants and agrees with the said William Edmund Parkes and also with the said Arthur Josiah Parkes that the said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington will take and receive the said Arthur Josiah Parkes as his apprentice or pupil for a term of three years commencing on the eleventh day of November, One thousand nine hundred and seven, and also will during the said term to the best of his knowledge and ability instruct or cause to be instructed the said Arthur Josiah Parkes in the profession of a Civil Engineer and in all things incident and relating thereto in such a manner as the said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington doth now or shall hereafter practice the same, And further that the said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington, his executors or administrators shall not (unless and extreme and unusual pressure of business shall render it necessary to do so) require the said Arthur Josiah Parkes to attend to the business or affairs of the said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington, his executors or administrators, for a longer period than from nine o'clock in the morning to five o'clock in the afternoon each day of the said time (except on Sunday, and except on Saturday on which day the hours of business shall cease at One o'clock in the afternoon) and shall allow the said Arthur Josiah Parkes One hour at mid-day for his luncheon (except on a Saturday). And further the said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington will allow to the said Arthur Josiah Parkes the following holidays during the said term namely one week at Christmas and not less than three days after each of the festivals on Easter and Whitsuntide, One fortnight for his summer holidays, and also the first Monday I August, and in consideration of the covenants and agreements hereinbefore contained on the part of the said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington, the said William Edmund Parkes and the said Arthur Josiah Parkes, the said Arthur Josiah Parkes of his own free will and by and with the consent of his father, doth put place and bind himself an apprentice, with and to the said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington during the term aforesaid And further, that the said William Edmund Parkes will at his own expense find and provide the said Arthur Josiah Parkes with board, lodging, clothing and all other necessaries during the said term. Provided also, and it is hereby further agreed that in case the said Arthur Josiah Parkes shall at any time during the said term be wilfully disobedient to the lawful and reasonable commands of the said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington or shall otherwise grossly misconduct himself it shall be lawful for the said Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington to discharge the said Arthur Josiah Parkes from his service, and thereupon this indenture shall be void.
Signed by William Edmund Parkes Arthur Josiah Parkes and Richard Evans Willoughby Berrington.

On End of Document:

   I have pleasure in certifying that the within named Arthur Josiah Parkes has faithfully served these article for a period of three years ending October 1910, and that during the whole of that time here has given me every satisfaction.
His work has always been carefully executed and he has always been most attentive to office work and on the several works he has been engaged.
   He has acquired a good deal of experience in Waterworks, Sewage disposal, Drainage and other branches of municipal engineering.
   In 1909 he successfully passed the students Examination, and in February this year, he successfully passed the Associate Membership Examination.
   He is still retained by me as an assistant.
   During the whole time he has been with me, his personal character has been all one could desire.
March 21st 1912, RW Berrington.

Letter from WEP re above:

Laurences Hotel (Temperance Hotel)
14/3/1912 8 A.M.
My dear Arthur,
I have just had your mother's letter with good news of your success and I hasten to offer my very heartiest congratulations I am very pleased indeed and so I am writing this before I have my breakfast. I thought you would be successful as you stuck well to your work and did your level best. Its as nice for you to have got thro' first time trying and at the earliest date that you could try and we must celebrate the success somehow and I must be invited to that high tea and I should like to meet Mr Tench and thank him. You want a holiday and I should like you to have one.
I prayed for you, I believe that you do not pray in vain and now I must return thanks to the Giver of All Good, May his blessing always be with you. Very Best Love, Your Affec Father.

AJP SERVICE AGREEMENT with JP&S:
23 Dec 1936:
Joint MD.
10 years from 2 Sept 1936
Fixed salary of £1600 incl of directors fees
Commission of 5% of net profits in excess of 10% on issued capital
Renewed AGM 29 March 1946

7 June 1957:
Joint MD
10 years from 1 Jan 1957
Fixed salary of £4800 incl of directors fees (75K 2004)
Commission of 2.5% of net profits in excess of 10% on issued capital

15 October 1961
Supplement to 1957
JP&S becomes JP&S holdings
Fixed salary of £4000 incl of directors fees
Commission of 1.25% of net profits.

AJP MILITARY DETAIL RECORDS

Record of Military Service (issued 1957):
Captain Arthur Josiah Parkes (46185)
21/6/1913: Appointed to a Militia commission as 2nd Lieutenant,
Royal Engineers. (special reserve in Army list)
5/8/1914: Mobilized
15/8/1914: embarked for France
9/6/1915: Promoted Lieutenant
6/7/1915: Limpsfield, Winchester St, South Farnborough, Hants (letter).
August 1915: photograph shows AJP with Headquarters Motor Cycles, Aldershot.
12/7/1917: Appointed Acting Captain
8/11/1917: Promoted Captain.
9/1919: Captain, Special Reserve.
14/10/1919: Demobilized
17/12/1925: Relinquished Militia commission
17/12/1925: Appointed to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers as
Captain (with seniority 14/9/1923) (P30-07-01)
7/6/1932: Resigned commission
Served overseas

Awarded the Military Cross - London Gazette 23/6/1915. No further information in original copy - citations of this period no longer exist. 2nd Lt AJP. Ref 6120 VII 1915 ZJ1/622.

From photographs,

1915: Hesdin, France, in Sec 4, 23rd Field Coy, 1st Division.

1917: on leave? At Colwyn Bay with family.

1918: Italy, Tortona (Villa Forgana) & Portofino, & Stresa (on leave with wife).

1918: Photograph in AJP's album of 22nd Brigade being inspected by King of Italy with General Steele.

Extracts from War Diaries All units in the 1st WW appear to have kept war diaries. They are written in flimsy paper, usually in pencil, and were kept on behalf of the CO, but usually by a more junior officer. The content and frequency of reporting varies. It seemed to depend on the writer to decide what to record. They can contain details of personnel movement.

23 Field Company, Royal Engineers, War Diary (WO95 1252):
Lt Bond for OC 23rd Fd. Co., RE wrote this diary. A photograph of him exists in AJP's album, together with "Stafford", who was awarded the MC at the same time as AJP.
This diary contains good detail of the actions carried out by the unit, but has sparse reference to individuals.
This unit was employed on the western front and suffered casualties in various actions.

1914: blowing and building bridges.
19/8 arrived Rouen
21/8 Billets Dompierre
22/8 Marched to Villers-sire-Nicole
23/8 Marched to Rouveroy, then Liseroeux top prepare defensive position, facing NW & W between Fauroeux and Peissant. At 3pm an attack was expected from the West and the works were occupied by the Welsh Regt.
24/8 to La Longueville.
25/8 Wet march to Dompierre, fired on one sapper wounded.
27/8 fired on at bridge. No casualties.
31/8 no 4 section destroyed bridge over Aisne at Soissons. Lattice girder on Soissons to Paisley Rd.
1/9 blew up 2 bridges over River Ourcq at Marolles (nr La Ferte Milon)
3/9 and over Marne at Sammeron and St Jean les 2 Jumeaux
3/9 No 4 section with RG of Coldstream Guards and rejoined at Douarre.
4/9 No 1 & 4 sections assisted blocking road during night.
6/9 Orders were issued to advance. No 2 section in Advance guard with Coldstream Gds came into action (under Lt Bond, who was mentioned in the diary).
16/9 No 4 sect repairing bridges at Vill(i)ers.
Billeted at Vendresse. Worked on Defensive positions around there. Putting up wire, digging trenches etc. until end 9/14.
1/10-15 working around Vendresse and Bourg. Built observatory for artillery.
16/10 to Perles. 4 section dismantled bridge at Pont-Arcy.
19/10 by train to Hazebrouck.
22-23/10 built pontoon bridge (using barges) over canal NW of Ypres 1.5 miles.
27/10 Hooge, digging trenches at night etc.
30/10 2300 ordered to hold Zillerbeke until relieved. 3 wounded
31/10 relieved 1430. During the day dug and manned trenches near Hooge:
In after noon sent out to act as infantry to clean up situation and cleared the woods SW of Veldhook. 9 wounded.
1/11-2 Hooge.
3/11-6/11 work on defensive position around Ypres
7/11 whole company fire-fighting in Ypres.
8/11-15/11 at work near Ypres. Billet shelled 2230 1 killed, 9 wounded.
17/11 marched to Borre
18/11-30/11 worked around Borre - Lt RL Bond wrote diary.
3/12 Visit by King.
4/12-11 experimental trenching.
Continued till 21/11.
22/12 Locon. Trenching etc.
26/12 Cambrin, trench work at Givenchy.
31/12 Attack on KRR trenches, MG emplacement captured.
1915
1-9/1 trenching and making keep
10/1/15: Cambrin, 4 section assists infantry to make good captured post on railway line, together with 1st lowland Field Coy RE (T). Sapper Bell killed, 2 wounded.
11/1/15: work continued. 1 wounded, 1 killed.
12/1/15 until post lost abt 2.30 pm.
13-20/1 Trenching work.
21-4/1 Mining near Brick Stack. Also more trenching.
25/1/15: men missing and killed. "Front line taken by Germans and mining party missing (5 men)", 1 wounded.
26-29 trenching.
28/1 1 killed, 1 wounded.
29/1 1 wounded.
30/1 -3/2 misc work.
1/2/15: on night of 1-2, shell burst in billets. 2 killed and 15 wounded. (incl. AJP)
4/2-16 Hurionville. Training etc - Capt Herring wounded by bomb instructing in throwing.
17/2-27/2 Rambert mining etc.
28/2 Oblinghem
1/3-31/3 Les Glautignies, nr Le Touquet Breastworks, keep & mines.
Injuries about 5/3. At Indian Village.
1/4-8/5 Le Touquet defensive works
9/5 1st Div attack on Rue de Bois front. Attack failed and only work carried out was clearance of Cinder Track and Edward Rd. 2 k 3 w
10/5 Marched to Mont Bernechon. And then Beuvry
13/5-1/6 at Beuvry, trenching etc.
2/6-20/6 Fontenelle Farm, training etc

23/6/15: birthday honours: MC Lt AJ Parkes (+ Capt HW Herring, LT JH Stafford)
24/6 Raimbert
28/6-5/9 La Bourse Vermelles: defensive works (Daly's Keep)
6/9- Drouvin Labourse Vermelles
24-29/9/15. In action with the Black Watch operations against Germans Mallins wounded and Lt Edwards gassed,

"Marsden's Keep"
5/10-13/10 Mazingarbe. Sect 4 Battle Stations 13/10.
14/10-13/11 train to Lozinghem.
14/11-13/1/16 Mazingarbe Philosophe
15/1 Lillers Allouagne
15/2-14/5 Les Brebis Loos
4/4 Lt Vanetone Sect 4 relieve.
17/4 Lt Smith takes command of no 4 sect
16/4-4/7 Les Brebis Calonne
12/7-26/7 Albert & Becourt Wood
27/7-14/8 Baizieux

AJP may have left 23 Company by end 1915 - after this, there are good records of the officers movements & he is not mentioned.
A photograph in August 1915 shows him with Headquarters Motor Cyclists, Aldershot. The letter below, dated 6/7/1915 was sent to an address near Aldershot. It can be assumed that he had transferred to Home Duty by early July 1915.

8/8/1916: Baizieux, Lt AJ Parkes RE joined company for duty.

15/8-13/9 Fricourt & Albert. Heavy Casualties 15/8.
15/8/1916: Lt Parkes with 4 section to billets X27c62 near Fricourt.

3/9/1916: Lts Salmon, Parkes & Smith with 2,3,4 sections standing by in billets. No 1 section in action.
24/9/16: No 4 section with AJP at Bazentin on billets.
29/9- 26/10/1916 Fricourt roadbuilding
26/10-11/11 Fricourt & Bazentin
11/11/16: Lt HA Parkes, RE proceeds to No 6 Pontoon Park for duty. (initials incorrect).
1917-18 23 company remained in France/Belgium.
26th Field Company, RE: no mention of AJP to end 1916.

No 6 Pontoon Park (formerly Bridging Train). (WO95/427).
At Cléty (Pas de Calais?)
21/3/16: unit arrived in SS Connaught at Rouen.
12/11/1916 Lt AJ Parkes RE transferred to this unit from 23 field coy RE. OC GG Mead Capt.
11/12/1916 Lt AJ Parkes proceeds on leave to England.
21/12/1916 Lt AJ Parkes returns from leave.
24/3/1917: preparation for move to Azincourt.
Advance billeting party under Lt. AJ Parkes left for Azincourt (about 7 miles NE of Hesdin). Also in unit Lt. E Chenevix-Trench; was he later headmaster of Eton?
Work of this unit seemed to comprise moving engineering stores and buildings around the area. No comment about any enemy action.
13/5/17 Lt. AJ Parkes RE leaves the unit to proceed to Italy on duty with "A.D.W. Eastern L. of C."

(ADW = Assistant Director of Works; LofC = Lines of Communication).

WO95/4255-6

Lines of Communication, Italy Commandants Taranto Base.

14/5/1917: en-route Taranto.
18/5/17: Lt Parkes, RE arrived Taranto.
Mention of Daily quinine
15/6 Capt Wilson, ASC & Lt AJP to visit Halte Repas at Foggia and Brindisi to arrange rations & water for personnel.
8/7 another officer wired for (obviously short handed)
24/10 Major Parkes arrived from Salonika and took over the duties of D.O.R.E.
Continuous discussions about setting up the base and negotiations with the Italians. Malaria also a problem: some camps only suitable in some seasons. Taranto seemed to be a major supply base for Italian Campaign.
23/10/18: Major JH Parkes DSO RE proceed to Genoa & off strength. In Genoa War Diary, this officer became Lt Col, CRE.
AJP not mentioned from early days until end Jan 1919.

Various unit diaries checked around Genoa.

ID Cards show:
7/1/1918: attached to CRE Taranto (Commander Royal Engineers)
1/8/1918-30/11: RE attd HQ 7th Division.

The 7th division was transferred to Italy after the 3rd Battle of Ypres, which ended in November 1917. It was involved in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. From 9/2/1918, the division was commanded by Brigadier General Steele (who is photographed with the King of Italy reviewing 22nd Brigade, which was part of the 7th division in Italy.

Photographs of AJP in Italy quote DAAG for a Major Brunswick as Deputy Assistant to Adjutant General (this was a common job title!).

A reference to No 6 Pontoon Park found in Italy associated with 54th Coy in the diaries of the HQ 7th Div Engineers (also reference to King's inspection). The 95th Field Coy was checked but no mention of AJP and did not mention King's Inspection.

Cambrin in Pas de Calais, nearby Givenchy.
Baizieux in Pas de Calais. Became an RFC base. Near Bresle. In the area of Battle of Somme, June 1916.
Bazentin 5 miles NE of Albert, Somme. Scene of fierce fighting September 1915.
Fricourt: East of Albert, Somme. Some surviving mine craters.
Mazingarbe & Philosophe villages near Loos. Mazingarbe just S of Bethune Lens road (N43).
Cléty: small village about 35 km East of Boulogne, on the N928.
Hesdin: small village about 10km East of Le Touquet, on N39.

It seemed that at least some of the time, the 26th Field Coy operated with the 23rd: each Army had 2 RE Field companies attached to it and one "Pontoon Park".

The 1st Division included both the 23rd & 26th field company RE.
25/1/1915 1st Division was in action at Givenchy.
The photograph of the King of Italy's inspection of 22 Brigade (on 27 November 1918) indicated that AJP may have moved to the 54th Field Company of Engineers (or possibly the 528th), who remained in the 22nd Brigade through the War: he was not found in any of these units.

The 22nd, as part of the 7th Division, were moved to Italy after 2nd Paschendale October/November 1917 (as part of X Corps, 2nd Army) and took part in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in the final days of WW1.
This was the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Brig Gen Steele took command 9/2/1918.

54 Field Coy WO95 4221 12/17-2/19 (also 22 Bgde)
                  1645 1/17-11/17.

54 Field Coy 1918 Italy, no mention of AJP.
21/9/18 Drill & practice for Review by King if Italy. All orders for review cancelled indefinitely. At Brogliano.
27/11/1918: Review by King of Italy at Castelgomberto aerodrome at 10 am. 1919 Capt Carroll i/c 54 Coy.

A letter written from the Imperial Palace Hotel, Rapallo, Italy to:
Imperial Palace Hotel, Rapallo, Santa Margherita.

25/7/1918.

"Mon cher consul"

It is with enormous regrets that I learned on my passage to Turin, last month, that you were in France for I had the intention of ..... or giving you the best wishes of our mutual friend Flack, who will see you in several days at Ventimillia on return from France.
   The word would be brought to you by a charming lady of our friend Madame Parkes, wife of Captain Parkes, MC, all received with us. She returns to England after having received for the permission of her husband, who has since 18 months on the Italian front with the English army, and I thank you in advance for all that you can do to assist her passage through France.

Receipt for 100 lire for Villius Barenghise Tortona

Letter from Willenhall Urban District, 6 July 1915:
(P41-03)

Dear Mr Parkes,
    At a meeting of the Council held last evening a Resolution was passed heartily congratulating you upon the well deserved honour which you have obtained and which the Council hope you may long be spared to enjoy.
    The Council feel that you have not only brought honour to yourself but to your native Town, and they are all proud of your achievement.
Yours faithfully, Rowland Tildesley.

Lieut. AJ Parkes,
Limpsfield,
Winchester St,
South Farnborough,
Hants.

Dower House Collection:

7/2004.

Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, Sutton Coldfield (printed on stiff card):
19/12/1903 (term ending): First in the A form in Latin.
31/3/1904 (term ending): First in the A form in Mathematics.
31/3/1904 (term ending): First in the A form in English
Easter 1904(term ending): Second in the A form in French
Easter 1904 (term ending): First in the A form in Latin
27/7/1904 (term ending): First in the A form in Drawing
17/12/1904 (term ending): Second in the 3rd form in Freehand Drawing
15/4/1905 (term ending): Second in the 3rd form Mathematics

     After leaving Tettenhall College about 1908, he was articled to a civil engineering practice in Wolverhampton but soon joined the army and was commissioned in the Royal Engineers (21/6/1913), serving at Chatham (in M Coy, RE, ref photo) and Woolwich.

Special Reserve Office 2^nd Lt, 21 June 1913. Commission in DH collection.
DL Stafford 16 June 1944 as Lt Col.

JP 10 Oct 1944. Certificate in DH Collection.

Gave RJLP a Methodist Bible 14/6/1927.

Italian Campaign medal 1918 (Italian inscription on reverse:
Nella fede fratelli e nella vittoria
Armata altipiani)

Certificate showing medical leave of absence 16th March to 16th April, 1915. (P30-05)

WAR OFFICE TELEGRAMS: (P30-03)

4 Au 1914. To Second Lieut AJ Parkes Royal Engineers Special Reserve. The Manor Willenhall.
You are required to proceed to Aldershot immediately. Your 23rd company on mobilization. Notify this office number of railway ticket when taken.

4 Feb 1915 to WE Parkes
Regret to inform you that 2nd Lieut AJ Parkes was slightly wounded on the 1st February. Secy War Office.

28/2/15, Boulogne Smer to Parkes Fernside Willenhall.
Coming England hospital hand wound. Arthur.

5 Mar 1915 to WE Parkes.
2nd Lieut AJ Parkes Royal Engineers in hospital 58 Grosvenor St W. with gunshot wound. Secretary War Office.

LETTERS

Letter on "Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway" paper,
On board the "Mellifont" Monday 17/8/14 6.45pm
(P29-01)

(The ship was owned by the above railway and served till 1914 on the Liverpool Drogheda run - she was built in 1903 and scrapped 1933. 1204 tons)

(Letter censored, shown by ---)

My darling Ethel,

We have started at last as you see. Got away from Southampton at about 3 o'clock and do not get to ---- till 5 o'clock tomorrow morning and then we are going ----- ----- which we are supposed to reach at 10.30 am. ---- as you probably know is about -- miles up from --- so it should be a very nice journey. We came passed Portsmouth and dropped our pilot in Sandown Bay I.o.W. The boat s very small. 1200 tons only and so is pitching badly. The engines are very noisy too. A few nurses are on board and also a few gunners and horses. Only our 4 sections were able to get on board and we had to leave headquarters ?? company behind. They carry the pontoons, water carts etc.
Tuesday 18th 7.20 am.
My love just than ,y love. I went very squeamish. I suppose it was the smell of the cooking! But I was not sick and had a good dinner at 8 pm Bound(?) did not have any. Was laid up. We are in --- now --- up. We had to anchor at --- to wait for the pilot at 5 o'clock.
   They say that the king's 2 sons passed us sleeping in boats on deck. You see this is a small passenger-cattle boat running from Liverpool to Drogheda and we managed to get a good night. The poor men are not having a brilliant time. It was cold and they had to stay on deck all night. My darling, if this were only a holiday and you were here! Our base is to be --- we think, and all letters are censored but I am hoping to give this to the Captain of this boat to post in England.
   We shall probably remain at ---- several days in a rest camp and then go on to ??? the ---- Frontier and then help to form the Reserve of the --- attack.
   These --- people are very excited. Cheering and play-dipping all along. Well darling I must just send a note home. Goodness knows when you will hear again. Try sending me a card at ---- "Rest Camp". Only put on it about yourself love or they will censor it. Good bye my own darling Ethel. He will not be far away.
    Please send a letter as well, but nothing about my doing in it.

Card found in DH Collection, Postmarked 7 October 1914.
(P30-15-04)

"Field Service Postcard"
To Miss Lister, The Manor, forwarded to 93a Redland Rd, Bristol.

Contains pre-printed statements:

"I am quite well

"I have been admitted into hospital
(sick     ) and am going on well             (all deleted by AJP)
(wounded ) and hope to be discharged soon

"I am being sent down to the base             (deleted)

                     (letter
"I have received your (telegram               (deleted)
                     (parcel                 (deleted)

"Letter follows at first opportunity

"I have received no letter from you           (deleted)
    (lately                                  (deleted)
    (for a long time                         (deleted)

Signed Arthur.

Post Card (P29-01)
Not sent, but a group including AJP of 23rd Field Coy RE 1st Div Jan 1916. Taken at Lilliers where I was in hospital.

LETTERS To AJP: FROM WW1
P30-09:

Hd Qrs 1^st Divn Engineers
LILLERS
5-2-14 (should be 15)

Dear Cooke,
   Herewith railway warrant and leave and 2 letters for my subaltern Lieut Parkes RRE who left for Boulogne today, Would you kindly see that they are forwarded to him early and ask him to acknowledge receipt direct to me at above address.
   Also please send this letter to him to inform him that, as I had not got his address, I have given as his my own home address "Kingston House" Alexandra Rd, Farnborough, Hants. P.G. would like Parkes to write to my wife telling her where to forward letters or telegrams which may be sent to him at my home address.
    I could only get 10 days leave for him 7^th to 17^th Feb which is the same as another of my subs (Lt Mallins) returns from leave.
    Lt Parkes wound is not likely to last beyond 17th he might obtain a med'l leave and apply for ?? of leave but I fear this will lead to trouble as the gods may ask why he was not sent home on sick leave and he will then be sent to K's Army. (this para v. difficult to read)
     I suggest that if well enough to travel he sh'd return on 17^th to LILLERS and join the 23^rd Fd Co in billets at HURIONVILLE (about 2 miles south (Lilliers) where he can rest until he gets well.
     Many thanks for looking after Parkes.
     Hope you can read this scrawl written on very rough board in the dark.
                  Yrs sincerely
                         C. Russell-Brown.
      Please give my orderly a chit to say you have got this letter and also Parkes' address in Boulogne if you know it.

Envelope To: AJ Parkes esq RRE
Not via GPO, but internal field mail.

Raimbert
25-2-15

Dear old Man
    So sorry to hear that the medicos are going to shunt you to a base hospital as I fear we shall loose you unless you are an arch-diplomatist.
    You have done such good work during the first six months of this war that your possible departure from the 23^rd Fd Co is a really serious loss at this great time in its history.
    However we still hope that somehow you will manage to get back to us thoroughly repaired and ready to capture more "Culvert Positions".
    Send me a line from Boulogne to let me know how you get on. If possible make yourself acquainted with my friend Major Moore RAMC who lives in the hospital train at Boulogne station.
    He is a capital doctor but he ought to be sent home to rest for a bit as he is nearly worn out with hard work. All luck
                     Yours ever R-B.

Envelope addressed to AJ Parkes, The Manor Willenhall
Post marked Field Post Office 14 April 1915.
From C Russell- Brown

23 Fd Co. RE
12 April 1915

Dear Parkes,
    I am a holy terror as a bad letter writer but your generous present of chocolate for the old 23^rd has roused me to make an effort. The men are awfully pleased that you have remembered them and you sent such a quantity that the officers are going to keep a packet to eat during their usual nightly work on the front trenches. We have been working on a front which begins about 2 miles from where you were wounded and inland for another 2 miles. We now have the Lowland Fd Co sharing with the line with us.
    We have had very few fellows killed and wounded considering that we have been working very close to the Boches during the last 2 months.
    Dick B., Jack S. and Mallins all keep merry and bright. We have a junior sub - one Edwards, quite a good boy but of course he does not know the old 23^rd as you do. I can't tell you how sick we all were to loose you. I asked the Gods on several occasions to try and get you back but it was no good.
    How is your hand now? I hope it has stopped giving trouble, but I suppose you still have a collection of metal to carry about?
    Col. Schreiber was very slightly grazed by a shrapnel bullet last week but is quite fit now.
    We wonder how long we are going to stay here. The country is still a bit wet but is slowly drying. We still have to live behind breastworks except in a very few places where trenches are possible.
    Our men are in fine fettle and ready for a shove whenever the time comes.
    Will you please convey my apologies to your father for not having answered his letter and thank him for his kindness in writing.
    The German crumps did a fair amount of firing today with 6 inch shell but their ranging was bad and no damage was done.
    They have wired themselves in stiff and done a lot of work behind their lines.
    I have been having a good long squint at them today from a good artillery position.
    We now have a mining section attached to us and have already blown up on German trench.
    J.S. asks "have you got yet lost your taste for bully?" He also thanks you for your letter.
    Best of luck and many thanks again for the choc.
               Yours ever
                     R-B.
Note: this must have been written in or near Le Touquet.

Letter post marked 26 April 1915
(P30-09)
To Mrs AJ Parkes, 13 Bank St, Willenhall
(Annotated "My first from my husband).

R.E. Mess, Aldershot

My Darling Wife,

Its 6.30 pm. I've just come in I've been searching for rooms since 3.30 this afternoon except 1/2 an hour for tea and I have not found any at all. Been in at least 30 houses in Franboro' and Aldershot. I shall ask the police in Farnboro' tomorrow one only took in bachelors (!) one only boarded as well (2 1/2 pennies each) and so on but I am not without hope or I should indeed be sick.
My job in the Training depot is in "B" Coy and is very light indeed. Only means attending a few parades.
I only know 1 man in Aldershot He's Sweeney who is in "B" Coy T.D. and whom I knew at Chatham very nice chap. He was only at the front a month and was wounded. He's been in the T.D. since Xmas.
I got here at 1 pm. Saw the Chief Engineer. Gen Gibbon very nice man he seemed. Reported myself at 2 or 3 offices and then had lunch in the mess where they remembered me so perhaps I shall have better luck. I am very sick indeed especially as otherwise there is no difficulty. For tonight I shall shake down in the mess which is not quite full up.
I am most awfully disappointed because I shall have to put you off at any rate until till Thursday. 9 out of 10 were full up.
I do hope my wife that you are all right. Be careful this week, I do hate the thought of a lonely night and I know you do too.
I'll try every house in Farnboro' tomorrow we couldn't possibly stand Aldershot town. The number of troops about is simply appalling so is the dirt.
The place looks just the same ……… there was any trouble at all.
Love I do want you. I'll have you at least on Thursday at the latest. Do take care of yourself tho' please.
Good night, all my love your husband.

Letter (P30-09):
(about 1 Sept 1918, EAP birthday 1 Sept)

Saturday Night (probably 31 August 1918)

My wife,
     Shall wire you tomorrow Leave granted! I have just seen the DA&QMG and he says that he has spoken to the G.O.C. who has no objections but that its too far in advance to grant the warrant. Still he definitely said that leave is granted. Now only the exigencies of war are in the way. Otherwise it is as sure as can possibly be. Also what surprises me was that they, none of them, had any objection to your coming. Col Lang spoke as if it was perfectly easy. However you know ---- and so will you carry straight on. Its an awful age to look forward to tho' you'll be busy and so time will go quickly.
   By the way about luggage. If I were you I should only bring one package beside your dressing case. You can look after it so much more easily, but I don't really think there is much difficulty about porters. The part of the journey I dread for you is from Southampton to Paris. I don't fear much for submarines, but the discomfort. I believe and very much hope that the journey from Havre is by day and is only 5 hours but I've never been that route. From Paris you will get into your sleeper and wake up at Aix-les-Bains in time for Break on the train. You can get dinner at the Gare de Lyons very nicely. Oh lover I wish you had somebody to travel with tho'. If you had a maid. Could you bring one of Cyril's? It really worries me. Perhaps the passport people have some lady going down on that day too.
   Don't bring towels cos I can bring up plenty and they would only stodge your bag out. I think my big kit bag is the thing for you.
    Take very careful note of these instructions lover. Cos I know the journey so very well.
    Poor little wife you were so down when you wrote on Sunday. This note ought to cheer you. I think really it is a very nice birthday present.
    God bless you my darling
          Good night.

Note by AM: she entered Italy on the 20^th September, and left 4^th October.

Letter:
(P30-09)
2.4.1919 (Wednesday A3M)                      Headquarters
morning                                       L. of C.
                                              Italy

My lover,
    It's all arranged at last. I propose leaving here on Monday so I can go decently and give you plenty of time to arrange things. I shouldn't have been able to get away if I hadn't given the reason but the -- is very nice about it. I've just been in to see him and he's given me a very nice testimonial to the L.G.B? That should go well, cos they want to know my social position? and its rather a sore point!
    About our going away straight from town, I want much rather, but I'll leave it to you, At any rate you will meet me in Town on Tuesday might. I can leave Paris at 12 noon, catch the 4 o'clock boat from Boulogne and arrive about dinner time. There's only horses in Paris and so I might miss the boat, but I've just heard from Buckland and he managed it successfully.
    I'm wiring you this afternoon to meet me at the Rubens hotel. You will wire for rooms won't you.
    It's too good to believe about. About getting a job at home. It may be a little difficult, but I shall get them to send a wire from here strongly recommending that I be given staff employment at home on compassionate grounds and that will help no doubt. It will be extremely useful to have an income till we can find a civil job. I'm certain tho' it best that I should come home. Its very hard from here to get a jib.
I pulled Lindsay's leg properly yesterday being April 1^st. I rang him up in my best soprano voice and told him I was the matron and would he come down and see me. I think he went, but I'm not sure. Then Euan Bu-hill and I sent him a wire ordering him to Russia. He was very excited and took it with G.C. who was in the know. Then we cancelled it later by another telegram. Then we sent a note and said who said April 1^st and Russia. He's fed to the teeth with me. Scotchmen cannot stand a joke. It won't be any use my writing after today lover cos you'll only get this on Monday. Till Home, etc.

NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS & EXTRACTS:

WILLENHALL OFFICERS WEDDING (April 14 1915)(P30-01)
In the presence of a large congregation, the wedding took place at the Weslyan Church, Willenhall, this morning, of Lieutenant Arthur J. Parkes, 23rd Field Company, Royal Engineers (second son of Mr and Mrs WE Parkes, the Manor, Willenhall) to Miss Ethel A. Lister (eldest daughter of Councillor and Mrs S. Lister, Willenhall).
    In view of the fact that the bridegroom's brother, Captain Cyril Parkes, 6th Battalion S.S. Regiment (South Staffs - A3M), is at present at the front, the event was observed as quietly as possible by the members of the two families, but was not allowed to pass unnoticed by their many friends.
    The bridegroom is home on sick leave, having been wounded at La Basse on February 5th, but is due to return again on Friday next.
     The ceremony was performed by the Rev. H.H. Adams (superintendent minister), assisted by Rev A.E. Calver (Baptist Minister). The bride was given away by her father, and the bridegroom, who wore his officer's uniform, was attended by Mr. L. Baxter (cousin).

KHAKI WEDDING AT WILLENHALL
   Great interest was taken in the wedding which took place at the Wesleyan Church, Union St, Willenhall this (Wednesday) morning, of Lieutenant Arthur J. Parkes, second son of Mr and Mrs W.E. Parkes, Willenhall to Miss Ethel A. Lister, eldest daughter of Councillor and Mrs S. Lister of Willenhall.
   The parents of the bride and bridegroom are well known in the district, both Mr. Parkes and Mr. Lister having been chairmen of the Willenhall Urban District Council, and Mrs Parkes is one of the Willenhall members on the Wolverhampton Board of Guardians.

The event was a popular one, especially as Lieutenant Parkes, who is attached to the 23rd Field Company of the Royal Engineers, is one of our war heroes, he having been wounded at La Bassee on February 5th. He is at present on sick leave, but is due to return to his company on Friday next.

Owing to Captain Cyril Parkes (6th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment), brother of the bridegroom, being at the front, the wedding was of a simple character, but there was a large congregation to witness the nuptials.

The ceremony was performed by the Rev. H.H. Adams (superintendent minister), assisted by the Rev. A.E. Calver (Baptist Minister). The bride was given away by her father and the bridegroom, who wore khaki, was assisted by Mr. L. Baxter (cousin).

Wolverhampton Express and Star, June 23^rd 1915

(Page found in Dower House Collection - P30-15-02)

(at the end of a piece about those mentioned in dispatches)

Willenhall Officer Mentioned

Included in the list of soldiers mentioned for gallant and distinguished service in the field is the name of Lieutenant A.J. Parkes, Royal Engineers. Lieutenant Parkes, who is the second son of Mr and Mrs W.E. Parkes, The Manor, Willenhall, had been at the front since the commencement of hostilities, but was twice wounded, and was invalided home a short time ago. Whilst on sick leave, he married the eldest daughter of Councillor and Mrs Lister, and has since returned to the front.

News of the honour to be conferred upon him has given no little satisfaction in the town, and especially amongst the members of the Lichfield street Baptist Men's Own Brotherhood, Lieutenant Parkes being on the long roll of honour in connection with that place of worship.

Retirement Announcement in Express and Star Wednesday April 5 1967:

(DH P36-04)

A leading International figure in the lock and hardware industry, Mr. Arthur Josiah Parkes has resigned from the board of Josiah Parkes and Sons, of Willenhall, and associated companies. He has been chairman since 1964 and managing director for 47 years.

After the first world war during which he gained the M.C. with the Royal Engineers — Mr. Parkes joined the family business, then a private company. When his father, William Edmund Parkes, died in 1920, he became a managing director jointly with his brother, Cyril, who died last year.

Under his guidance, the company has grown to more than 10 times its size when he took over. It is an international organisation with three factories in Willenhall and others in Birmingham, South Africa, Rhodesia and Nigeria.

"UNION" BRAND

     The trademark "Union" has become one of the world's best known in the lock and hardware field.
     Mr. Parkes has taken a personal interest in the development of the company's export trade. His retirement marks the end of an era of family control, the business having been started by his grandfather about 1840.
   The new chairman of the company is Mr. W. E. Egar, who has been deputy chairman for several years. Mr. D. S. Maitland and Mr. E. C. Fryer, formerly assistant managing directors, become managing directors.

The Parkes Group was merged with Chubb and Son, in November, 1965, of which it is now a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Express & Star AJP Funeral.

(DH P36-04)

Staff Mourn Former

Many staff of Josiah Parkes and Sons, the Willenhall lock and hardware firm, paid tribute to the late Mr. Arthur Josiah Parkes at his funeral at St Nicholas Church, Codsall, Wolverhampton, yesterday.

Mr. Parkes (77) who died at his home. Manor House, Oaken, near Wolverhampton, last week, was for many years joint managing director.

When the firm merged with Chubb and Sons in 1964, he became chairman, retiring from the board in April last year.

Express & Star Obituary

(copy found in Dower House collection - DH P36-04)

One of the leading figures in the British lock and hardware industry, Mr. Arthur Josiah Parkes, died last night at his home, The Manor House, Oaken, Codsall. He was in his 78th year.
Mr. Parkes retired last April from the board of Josiah Parkes and Sons, of Willenhall, and associated companies. He had been chairman since 1964 and managing director for 47 years.
Mr. Parkes served with the Royal Engineers during the first world war and gained the M.C. Afterwards he joined the family business, which was

then a private company. On the death of his father, Mr. William Edmund Parkes, in 1920, he became a managing director jointly with his brother, Cyril, who died in 1968.
Since then, the company has grown tenfold. It is an international organisation with three factories In Willenhall and others in Birmingham, South Africa. Rhodesia and Nigeria.
The company has achieved International recognition through its trade mark "Union."
The Parkes Group was merged with Chubb and Son in 1965 and is now a wholly owned subsidiary
Mr. Parkes, who was also a local magistrate, leaves two daughters. The only remaining family connection with the business is through a son-in-l-law, Mr. D.S. Maitland, a joint managing director.

FROM HOME GUARD DOCUMENTS

24th STAFFORDSHIRE (TETTENHALL) BATTALION

This Battalion covered a great swathe of land from the north-west to the south-west of Wolverhampton. Its final area stretched roughly from Codsall Wood in the north to Swindon in the south; and from Tettenhall village in the east to Burnhill Green in the west. It was one of the handful of Staffordshire units which decided to record its activities after the war and published in 1946 "24 Home Guard - The Record of the 24th Staffs. (Tettenhall) Bn. HG." This rare book is full of images and factual information and means that the Battalion must be one of the best documented in the country. A copy is lodged in Wolverhampton Library.

The Battalion was commanded throughout its existence by Lt. Col. A.J. Parkes M.C. (pictured right, at Patshull in 1944) who was also the author of its above record.

P31-01: Speeches supper, 26/5/1945

Handwritten: From HRQ, at supper 26 May 1945 Presentation

(40 officers present. All coy comd ex T Jones)

Gentlemen,

In May, 1940, Anthony Eden broadcast to the nation asking for volunteers for a defence force as England was in danger. He called for all able-bodied citizens to rally together for the defence of their homes against a powerful enemy.

The L.D.V. was formed, and those of you who were present at those early meetings, will recollect, with pride, the enthusiasm of all those volunteers, of all ages, men of seventy and youths from the schools, some of us had kept our knowledge of weapons from the previous war and we were glad to have these boys from the public schools who knew more than we did.

A leader was necessary for such a large body of men in such a huge area and Arthur Parkes was chosen by the powers that be to lead us - how wise that choice was - and how keen he was to lead us.

He put everything he had got into it - his heart and soul were combined to produce from the rabble that came along, a strong, disciplined force,

No one knows better than I, what difficulties he had to contend within those early days, we had no rank - we just depended on one common aim - all working together to make ourselves efficient in the few weapons we possessed - he mixed with everybody and in a very short time he became our acknowledged leader.

He did this with tact and a complete understanding of the many different people under his command, he got to know their names, and never forget them.

He was a sapper in the last war and knew very little of Infantry, but he soon overcame this terrible misfortune and went on courses and spent sleepless nights in learning all about battle drill and infantry tactics.

He went on every course possible and where he could not get in, he gate-crashed, giving up all his spare time and his business to make his battalion efficient.

He never seeked the lime-light - he was not out for honours - he was just as natural with the youngest recruit as he was with the Brass hats that sometimes came to see us - and I can vouch for the fact that he would not use any whitewash for the visiting General.

He was proud of his battalion and we were proud to belong to it.

Behind all his work for us, he had the understanding of his wife, who was so pleased to entertain all of us on two or three occasions, and my excuse to you to-night, gentlemen, in reading this, is to ask Arthur Parkes to hand these short notes to Mrs Parkes, because I am sure that he would not tell her how much we appreciate her kindness in allowing her husband to have neglected her on our behalf, and how much we thank him for his kindness, his strength and his example in comradeship and loyalty.

EVIDENTLY AJP's REPLY:

I do not know what to say.

I wish I were able to express my feelings adequately and as I can't I must ask you to accept the halting words and read into them my very great gratitude and thanks for the honour you have done me.

I am torn by two forces and as I was instructed in my youth every force has an equal and opposite reaction you will understand my dilemma.

The one force is the pleasure I have just mentioned. Apparently you think I am deserving of the gift which is the expression of your goodwill. It must always be an honour to anyone to be so treated and I am certainly no exception to the rule. Then there is the intrinsic and artistic value of the gift.

My family like me will be proud of it and my descendants I am sure will value

it equally highly. It will become one of my few heirlooms.

The other force operating is my unworthiness. I did not want you to do anything. I have an inferiority complex and I cannot believe I have earned the tribute. I rarely felt that my deeds were meritorious tho it is true that I tried to do my best. I could never do enough for the Cause. I regarded all the officers of the Bn. or shall I be strictly truthful - most of the officers - as being more efficient and more deserving of praise than I. Most of you did a harder days work at your civil job and it is nearly always easier to issue the bumph (my duty) than carry out the orders it contained (your duty).

It has been a hard grind since May 14./1940 and we are not yet disbanded. We have I think enjoyed it nevertheless and we have certainly learnt lessons which we shall not forget.

Tact, tolerance, give and take. (handwritten, "not appeasment")

Winston Churchill in his book "My early life" tells 3 incidents to illustrate these attributes how to get done a job which in your opinion is of great importance, at the same time getting the whole-hearted co-operation of whose who are to carry out the work.

1. Prep. School, 2. Candle in wine bottle and 3. Signing the book.

We officers in the H.G. have had to turn the blind eye on many occasions achieving

our objectives in so doing.

There are of course many other lessons and memories which we shall cherish.

Mark Antony said I think and hope ironically that the evil that men do lives after them and the good is oft interred with their bones. In the case of this Bn. I feel certain that any evil we have done has already been interred and plenty of good will live perhaps for ever.

The medal which we are to receive with 7 million others I see is not to be brown at both ends but it has 2 strips of black not however in mourning for our demise. It has I think been earned by most of us by comparison with certain other issues.

Home Guard on Foreigners

P41-04

REF ZX/63/1508/18.3.41

S E C U R I T Y.

ENEMY AGENTS

     The Company Commanders are asked to inform all Platoon Commanders and N.C.0.s in their Company that there is a possibility of landings by parachutists, enemy agents or spies, and the undernoted details may be of help.
     Parachute landings will probably take place in darkness on a night with low cloud. Immediately on landing he will cut up and hide his parachute in ditches, rabbit holes, etc.   He may have a flying suit, food, other clothes, which will also be hidden. He will then steal a bicycle or get lift to avoid travelling on railways or buses, and make for a town.   He is most likely to be interested in aerodromes and landing grounds, aeroplane factories, gun sites, etc.   He will carry a wireless set which may be made of dark imitation leather, and measure 20" X 12" X 6", or possibly look like a dark imitation leather camera case, and measure 122 X 72 X 3¾".   He will carry a large sum of money (anything from £50 to £500) in English notes.   He will probably be a young man. He may be slightly injured by his landing, therefore look for scratched wrists, ankles or faces.   He is not likely to be an Englishman, and will pass himself off as a Dane or a Dutchman.   He will probably be unaware of his whereabouts, and this is certainly suspicious.   His clothes will be civilian, which might betray their foreign origin by their un-English cut.
     As food, he may carry German or Dutch chocolate with paper of foreign origin which should be easily noticed, whilst he will probably carry brandy and drugs in the form of white pills or tablets, Large scale maps and a compass form a normal part of his equipment. Mistakes in the National Registration Identity Card are evident, Christian name before surname, the usual method is vice versa.   Christian names are always printed in full in England, never initials.   The date at the bottom right hand corner of the card cannot be before 27/5/40.   In the address, the English way is to put the name of a town last, foreigners put it first.   A person found with a blank Identity Card must be regarded with the gravest suspicion.

Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:07:59 +0100

From: "WebmasterStaffsHomeGuard" <webmaster@staffshomeguard.co.uk>

Dear Mr. Maitland,

Please forgive me for picking a very minor nit, but I believe I am right in saying that Col. Parkes commanded the 24th Staffordshire (Tettenhall) Battalion of the Home Guard, rather than the 22nd as stated in your genealogical site.

I found the latter very interesting and a fine tribute to a remarkable man. I have taken the liberty of making a link to it from my own (wholly amateur and non-commercial) site which commemorates the Home Guard. Hope that's OK.

My link is from http://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/DotherReminiscencesStaffsstaffshg.htm

Chris Myers

Webmaster www.staffshomeguard.co.uk

RUSSELL-BROWN

AJP's C.O. in France 1914/15:

Lt C Russell-Brown served in the Boer War, mentioned in French's Dispatch to Roberts 2 February 1900 near Colesburg.

CRB was in Hongkong in 1925 as a Honorary Colonel (when he substituted for the GOC on the legislative council).

Colonel Francis David Millest BROWN VC was born on 7 Aug 1837 in Bhagalpur, India. He died on 21 Nov 1895 in Sandown, Isle of Wight and was buried in Winchester Cemetery, after a service at Winchester Cathedral. Colonel Francis David Millest BROWN VC married Jessie Rhind RUSSELL. Francis was employed as 2nd Lieutenant, 1st European Bengal Fusiliers, (later the Royal Munster Fusiliers) 7 Mar 1857. He was employed as Lieutenant, 1st European Bengal Fusiliers 7 Jun 1857. He was employed as Captain 23 Aug 1864. He was employed as Assistant Principal 1868/1873 in Thomason College, Roorkee. He was employed as Major 7 Dec 1875. He was employed as Lieutenant Colonel 8 Dec 1881. He was Presented to Queen Victoria at Levee on 24 Apr 1860 - St James's Palace. He was Victoria Cross deed (Indian Mutiny) on 16 Nov 1857 - Narnoul, India. He was educated at Grosvenor College, Bath. He was educated 1852 - 1854 at Private tutor: Brisco Morland GANE, late curate of Honiton.

They had the following children:

M i Frank Russell BROWN was born on 24 Mar 1872. He died on 3 Apr 1900. Frank was employed as 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Munster Fusiliers. He was employed as 1st Lieutenant 1 Aug 1895.

Wounded near Bloemfontein Waterworks, 30th March. Died of wounds 4th April 1900, aged 28. Son of Colonel F. Brown, VC, ISC. Husband of Kathleen Colquhoun, married August 1899

M ii Claude Russell BROWN was born on 11 Apr 1873. Claude was employed as 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Engineers 22 Jul 1892. He was employed as Lieutenant 22 Jul 1895.

Whites-Nunan Ltd:

This was a company of which AJP was chairman with CWP, DSM, AS Parkes and S Rhodes as directors.

In the company report for the y/e 30/6/1959, it made a profit of £33,392 with a net book value of £354331 (abt £5M at 2004). (P24-07)

Letter 19/6/1963 re:

Whites-Nunan Ltd, Sharp St, Manchester

Injectors-Ejectors, Steam, Oil & water valves, Fire Hoses & Appliances, ships fittings) from AJP as Chairman (for 32 years). Bought out by Yorkshire Imperial Metals. RJLM shares 6790, cheque £30555. Also to DSM re 200 shares £900.

Text of a Speech given by D.S. Maitland for Natasha Baldwin's marriage to Andrew Chappell, 16/5/98

At Dogmersfield, Hampshire.

Good afternoon everybody. So often at weddings one is left wondering who the old dodderer is who is making an inaudible speech.

I will do my best to make myself heard and introduce myself. I'm the nearest thing Tasha has to a grandfather which is not inappropriate since the equivalent speech at her mother's wedding was made by her real grandfather.

I must also tell you that like all busy people who make speeches -I've only been retired 16 years - I have a ghost of whom more later.

Anyway a warm welcome to you all and a thank you for coming to celebrate Andrew and Tasha's wedding.

Tony tells me that any disappointment in his daughters lies only in their inability to tell the difference between a mashie and a niblick or tell a woodcock from a Frenchman in and their total disinterest in either persuit. But disappointment goes out of the window when they bring home a string of delectable girl friends for father to admire and sigh after many of whom seem to be here today looking marvellous. I can also add that another generation only marginally dulls the appreciation of pretty girls so Tash take my advice and watch Andrew for the next 50 years.

I have known Tasha for ever and she was always a peaceful and calm little girl with one unusual ability in a child which caused me to think she would grow up to be a model. You know how reluctant most kids are when you want to photograph them-not Tasha. From the age of about four one had only to point a camera at her for her to drape herself in an elegant pose, smile and freeze until you pressed the button when she would go on with whatever she was doing.

She didn't follow this career but in fact developed a commercial spirit pretty soon and this is where I must introduce Tor her matron of honour, an unattractive phrase I always think for a bridesmaid who happens to be married.

   Tash and Tor have always been like twins and there is a story that once they exhausted Angy who had to spend an afternoon picking plums that the two of them successfully sold to Passing motorists at the gate of Eastcote House. Having made their fortunes at the age of ten or thereabouts they decided that they would like to live together but realising that they might like children they accepted that they would have to get married. Then they could "make" their babies, jettison their husbands and live happily ever after. Despite displaying some knowledge of the basic biology of life I don't think at this tender age they had quite got the hang of the full attractions of the opposite sex. A situation happily resolved with advancing age and I'm sure neither real husband is in any danger of being jettisoned even though Tor's has been left in Hong Kong for the time being.
   A grown up Tasha has done a few things in her time including back packing in Australia where she sampled all sorts of jobs including picking grapes. This latter occupation is not the romantic pastime one might think but very hard work, very hot, very dusty, very hard on the back and a disaster for the hair and nails. The pay is terrible too.
   Having got over that trip she settled down to the property business where she has clambered up to a very responsible job. At the same time she remains a very family person devoted to her parents and to Claire and Mick to whom she provides useful facilities like mother sitting because Claire doesn't like being alone.
   Enough about Tasha. Words now about Andrew. Bridegrooms often seem to come off second best on these occasions partly I suspect because so much time is taken up eulogising about the bride - and rightly too -that here isn't enough to do the bridegroom justice but also in my case because I can only claim a very limited acquaintance with him in 36 hours in Devon last summer along with 11 other members of the family in four generations all talking at once which makes it a bit difficult to arrive at a reasoned assessment. I have established a tenuous bond in that he was born in Singapore and brought up in Hong Kong while I was born in Shanghai and both our fathers and his grandfather worked for the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hank so he must be all right. He tells me that he is a bond dealer which conjures up to me those terrible contrived pictures in the press of a group of young men and to be politically correct a couple of young girls jostling together and apparently shouting their heads off and making what look like rude gestures at the photographer. But I'm sure its not really like that and its a job requiring a good deal of expertise and that you have your wits about you.

Unlike his wife and sister-in-law he does know the difference between a woodcock and a Frenchman and certainly between a mashie and a niblick in which pursuit there is some danger that he will beat Tony which might not be politically correct.

Tony and Angie are sure that Tasha's judgement is equal to Claire's and if Andrew equals Mick's enthusiasm for hard work and fearless hard play he will be more than welcome in the Baldwin family.

If you haven't already realised, my Ghost is Tony himself and he particularly wants to say a few thank yous and I am now using his words. First to Simon & Sally Walters who have been quite exceptional friends over the years and have allowed us to use their house and garden today. Secondly Tony and Vivien Chappell who have been a pleasure to meet and who must be thanked for their generosity in providing the champagne.

Which means it is time I shut up, ask you to take advantage of that generosity, raise your glasses and drink a toast to the future happiness of Andrew and Tasha.

AJP RETIREMENT SPEECH

JOSIAH PARKES & SONS LTD.

Broadcast to all 4 works at Willenhall on Thursday 23/3/67 9.30 a.m.

I have what is to me a most important statement to make.

         I can only hope that my announcement will be so considered by many of you listening at all three works, and by the people in the Gower Street block as well.
         It is that I am retiring on the 31st March. Many of you will know that I am 76 and understandably my age is my reason for retirement.
      I have been a Managing Director since 1920 the year in which my father died 47 years ago.   Then we only had the old Union Works and of course no subsidiaries.   You know now our position in the Trade.   In 1920 we ranked perhaps 4th or 5th - now we are No. l in building locks and hardware in this country. Not only that but our trade now is nearly world-wide and we have four subsidiary Companies in Birmingham and Africa all making locks and door and window fittings.
         I am of course more than distressed to be leaving you all but I am leaving the Company at its peak. I am satisfied that my successors will see to it that progress will be continued.
         Mr. W. E. Egar is to be the Executive Chairman, Mr. D. S. Maitland and Mr. E. C. Fryer Managing Directors, Mr. R. G. McKay, Mr. John Williams and Mr. L. Southall, Directors; all of them as you know are experts in their field.
         I must say a word to thank you all for your loyalty and good service to this Company - many of you for many years. No one could have better support without which I should have been powerless.   Miss Partridge has been my Secretary for all the 47 years and I want to say a special word of thanks in appreciation for what she has done for me and the Company.   She will be retiring later on.
        Finally I wish for you all success in your jobs and happiness in the carrying out of them.

Arthur J. Parkes
Chairman

AJP PRIZEGIVING at ACTON REYNALD

I am pleased to be here.
I think to begin with I should explain why I am here today giving away the prizes.
Miss Hammond has had to do with the education of my children and grandchildren since 1932, with a break, if she does not mind my mentioning such a date of so long ago.
Only one of my grandchildren happens to be here at the school at the moment; my great grandchild who is also a female will not be ready to be educated for some considerable time, so that at the moment it looks as if my indebtedness to Miss Hannnond is ended at any rate temporarily.
55 years is quite a long time and shows that I and my daughters have considerable trust in her ability.
Miss Stott I must add joined Miss Hammond later so my connection with her is of short duration.
I am in somewhat of a quandary this afternoon. To begin with I really do not know whether I am speaking to parents or pupils, but I am presuming that parents will not be very interested in what I am saying. Also I do not know whether to give advice to the pupils, or for that matter to the parents, or not. Anyway I am sure it is wrong for me to give advice, because if I did I should be arrogating to myself the duties and responsibilities of both parents and teachers.

If I err, as I am afraid I must to some extent, you must forgive me.
   Another point is that I am really not in a position to give advice. I cannot for instance talk as an expert about politics or sport, and in any case my daughters and grandchildren and sons-in-law are all here and they might be lead to believe that I am getting at them.

I have not climbed Everest or have I been to either of the Poles, and I have not sailed the Atlantic alone.
I turn to the poets for inspiration but I find them to be extraordinarily unhelpful. For instance, Alexander Pope said that a little learning is a dangerous thing.    I am not quite clear what Pope meant but perhaps you can elucidate that mystery for yourselves. Kingsley said - be good sweet maid and let who will be clever.     However, I think clever people are born and not made, so this advice does not seem to be of much use. Then the writer of the Acts of the Apostles said - much learning doth make thee mad.    So, what are we to do, a little learning or much learning ?
I think in this connection the story of the school-boy who said to his father -   you ought to be proud of a son with enough courage to bring home a school report like that, is not unapt.

However, quite obviously a good education is a most valuable asset, and you pupils here are having an excellent start in the world so I do advise you again to make the most of your opportunities so that when you go out into the severe competition of the world, you will meet it satisfactorily.
On balance I think it very well worth risking the disapproval of the writer of the Acts of the Apostles and risk madness. Your teachers and your parents can only start you on the right way, it is then up to you to make the most of your opportunities and to be as successful as possible, though here I find it difficult to define success, so I must leave that also to your imagination.
It was Dean Hole who said - he who would have beautiful roses in his garden, must first have beautiful roses in his heart.     This I think does not require explanation.
I am warned by my grand-daughter who is still, as I have said here at this school that I must on no account speak for more than 10 minutes, and that I must not pontificate, give advice, or be otherwise boring.
I will, however, in spite of what I have said give you a little further advice even though I said I should not, and that is that you should read a new book The General next to God by.... It is a biography of General Booth of the Salvation Army, and it is a history of delinquency of all kinds 100 years ago.

I think you should all know what has happened since 1865 when the Salvation Army was first inaugurated. After reading this book it is my opinion, and here I speak as a Justice of the Peace, that the youth of today is better in many ways than when the Salvation Army first started operations, and because I think that, I always speak up for the modem youth though I simply cannot bear "Pop" records.
This is not to say that any one of us is good enough, we never? can be, but I tell you this, so that by comparison we have perhaps improved over the hundred years. So be of good heart, and I hope you will all look to the future with the keenest possible anticipation, and be of good courage. I must add my best wishes for the future of the school. I believe that provided the Government does not interfere, that Miss Hammond and Miss Stott will go on from strength to strength.

JEREMY PATRICK DAWSON MOORE

Born: 17/3/1938,

Died: 1/10/2005 of heart failure at home in Stowe on the Wold, Glos, with service at St Edward's 14/10/2005. Tribues and rememberances were made by his brother, Michael and David Morgan and Bill Lyon-Shaw.

Parents: Norman Frederick Alexander and Mary Grace (Sheppard) Moore.

JPDM was educated at King's School, Canterbury and then at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth (1956), sub-Lt 1958. Was in submarines, before leaving and joining Vickers Shipbuilding in Barrow in Furness. In the late 1960's they moved to Hampshire.

Married, 3/8/1963: Carol Ann Waddell, born Oaken 31/8/1942.

Issue:
1/1. Sophie Louise Moore, born Woking, 15/12/1964.
1/2. Julian Lindley Branthwayt Moore, born Kendal, 13/3/1967.

NORMAN FREDERICK ALEXANDER MOORE

Born: 22/11/1903
Captain Royal Norfolk Infantry, TD. Known as "Mickey"
NFAM had sister called Lorna.

Married, 8/6/1935: Mary Grace Sheppard.

Issue:
1/1. Michael John Moore, born 18/2/1936. Ed King's School,

Canterbury.

RMA Sandhurst (1954/55). 2ndLt 15/19 Hussars (Dec 1955),

Malaya, N Ireland, Yemen, Captain 1960.

Married, 10/12/1960: Frances Mary Ball.

2/1. Phyllida Kingsley Moore, b 4/12/1961

2/2. James Richard Branthwayt Moore, b 23/12/1962.

1/2. Jeremy Patrick Dawson Moore.

G.S. SHEPPARD

Colonel.

Married: Constance Le Feuvre Dickson.

The history of this family is a combination of information from Frank Grenfell (2003) and Carol Ann (Waddell) Moore.

Issue:

1/1. Mary (May) Grace Sheppard, born 6/12/1900, married NFA Moore.

1/2. Constance Louise Sheppard. (Nancy)

Married: Admiral Geoffrey F. Burghard.

2/1. Susan Moore (died in infancy)

2/2. Stephen Frederick Burghard, born 10/3/1936

Married, 1/5/1959: Susan Wood.

Issue:

3/1. Celia Burghard, b & d 5/9/1960

3/2. Mark Frederic Burghard,

3/3. Sarah Burghard, b. 20/1/1965.

2/3. Martha Elizabeth Burghard. Married, 10/9/1977, F. Alan Bevis

3/1. George Kent Bevis b. 6/7/1978.

1/3. Helen Sydney Sheppard, b. 14/8/1911-4/7/1995,

Married (1) Capt. Russell Grenfell, RN (10/4/1892-4/7/1954).

Married (2) 1958, Evelyn Lindsay-Young (b.25/11/1893)

Issue of Helen & Russell Grenfell:

2/1. Julia Grenfell

Married, 20/4/1960: Capt Jeremy MA Barkworth, 16/5 Royal Lancers

Jeremy died 1981, and Julia married Charles Baron.

3/1. Catherine Barkworth, b 12/11/1962

3/2. Charlotte Barkworth, b 10/1965

3/3. Henrietta Barkworth, b 1/1967

3/4. Diana Barkworth, b 12/12/1969.

2/2. Kate Grenfell, married Sir Richard Barrow.

3/1. Anthony Barrow, 5/1960.

3/2. Nony Louise Barrow, b. 5/8/1963.

3/3. Frances Barrow, 4/1971.

2/3. Frank Grenfell, master at Eton (2003)

f.grenfell (at) etoncollege.0rg.uk.

3/1. Andrew Grenfell, 1984.

3/2. Peter Grenfell, 1985

3/3. ELizabeth Grenfell, 1986.

From Frank Grenfell, 2/2003:
I don't know how much information, if anything, you would like about the Grenfells. I know on my own tree that I rarely go further back than one generation in families who married in, if for no other reason that the amount of information increases very rapidly indeed if you do otherwise. So unless you ask I shan't do anything. We think the Grenfells are an interesting family, with all sorts of adventurers. One John Grenfell was killed by bush rangers in Australia, but it led to the arrest and conviction of the outlaws, so in honour of him they gave the township of Emu Creek the new name of Grenfell. There's Lord Grenfell, of course (not close enough to me ...), and Sir Wilfred, who was my father's first cousin.

Changes:
24/11/00: Editorial & Contents List.
15/6/2001: resaved HTML from Word
30/8/2001: AJP Picture link
13/9/2001: AJP war diaries.
7/11/2001: more on diaries
2/2/2002: more on diaries.
26/2/2002: extra Baldwin G/children.
15/3/2002: extra details
5/5/2002: extra details & edited.
20/7/2002: edited layout, added JPD Moore to this file
9/2/2003: corrected Moore details.
15/9/2004: Addition of Dower House Collection
8/11/2004: more from DH
16/7/2009: small changes