Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Flanders | Panel 5 | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.131 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 16C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Son of George and Lydia Parker, late of Eton Square, Eton, Bucks; husband of Edith Jane Parker (formerly Kingston), of 22, Toothill Rd., Loughborough.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 19th (Queen Alexandra's Own Royal) Hussars |
19th (Queen Alexandra's Own Royal) Hussars August 1914 : at Hounslow. Split up to provide Squadrons for Divisions: August 1914 : A and B Sqns to France with 5th and 4th Divisions respectively. September 1914 : C Sqn to France with 6th Division. 14 April 1915 : Squadrons returned and regiment reformed. Placed under command of 9th Cavalry Brigade in 1st Cavalry Division. |
| Action : The Battles of Ypres 1915 (Second Ypres) |
22 April - 25 May 1915. On the 22nd April 1915 the Germans used poison gas at Ypres. This was the first 'official' use of gas and took the Allies by surprise. After initial success capitalising on the confusion and horror of this weapon, a heroic stand, initially by the Canadians and then supported by British and Indian Battalions, held the German advance. However it became clear that the Germans had achieved a tactical advantage and eventually the British were forced to retire to more a more defendable perimeter closer to Ypres. These positions were on the last ridges before Ypres and their loss would have resulted in the loss of the town and possibly open the Channel coast to German occupation with disastrous consequences for the re-supply of the BEF.
Detail :
3538 Regimental Sergeant Major, Leicestershire Yeomanry. Formerly 19th (Queen Alexandra's Own Royal) Hussars.
On Saturday May 22nd 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE YEOMANRY” – Severe Engagement in the Western Field. – SERGEANT MAJOR PARKER. Squadron Sergeant Major Parker is well known at Loughborough, where he was attached to the town squadron. He was in the 19th Hussars, and was attached to the Yeomanry for training purposes. He was a smart soldier, a good drill instructor, and very popular with the rank and file. His death will be deeply regretted not only by the regiment, but by a large circle of friends."
A very detailed account of the action which resulted in the death of George Parker appears on the War Memorials Project of the Leicestershire County Council. See more: here where his portrait image can be found.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Howe and Charnwood No. 1007 E.C. | Leicestershire & Rutland |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
28th October 1913 | 27th January 1914 | 24th February 1914 |
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley