Percy Parsons and his pals (10th Yorks and Lancs)

[KathrynWhite]

Hello,

Over the past few years I've been looking a little into the history of my great-great-grandfather Percy Parsons (32387) who fought in the 10th Battalion York and Lancaster regiment. Unfortunately, he didn't get very far before he was killed on the 20th April 1917, between the Battles of the Scarp.

This summer I'm cycling to Belgium to do a Flanders battlefields tour. As a history student, I'd like to add some extra interest to my trip and was thinking of researching a few men who would have fought alongside Percy, as after France the battalion moved through to fight in Belgium. Is this sort of research possible? Can I find out his platoon/ brigade (not really sure how these structures work) and those men who would have possibly known him?

This may be a long shot, but a big thank you for any answers or clarifications that can be provided.

Kathryn

[sotonmate]

Kathryn

I looked at a Medal Index Card for Percy Parsons 32387 York and Lancaster. Did you know that he was first at war with the West Yorkshire Regt (47241) ? His card indicates that he first entered the war after Dec 1915. You can find out which Battalion of the WYR he served on first landing by looking at the original Medal Roll which is at Kew under Ref WO329/1592 page 1931. Not digital so needs a look up.

Somewhere along the way he left the WYR,maybe due to illness or wounds,and returned to be drafted to the Y&L,when we don't yet know as there doesn't seem to be any papers surviving.

However,I also looked at Soldiers Died in the Great War,which says that 32387 Percy William Parsons of the 10 Y&L was killed on the 28 April 1917. He was born at Berrow Worcs,and enlisted at Bristol. A note says he was formerly 18375 Royal Field Artillery ! He could well have been,perhaps prior to the war,but as that number is not on the Medal Card he would not have served overseas in the war.

The 10Y&L War Diary is at Kew under two references,due to it being in two different Divisions between 1915 and 1918. WO95/2158/4 opens on 1 Sep 1915 and runs to 31 Jul 1916 with 63 Brigade of 21 Division. WO95/2529/3 continues from 1 Aug 1916 to 31 Jan 1918 with 63 Brigade of 37 Division. Neither are digital. You are unlikely to see your GGFs name,but it is sometimes seen that a replacement draft is listed and then you might get to know when he joined them.As it is you won't be sure as yet when to read the Diaries from. You might also be able to glean some info from either the Diaries or Soldiers Died on other casualties which would allow you to follow some of them up on your cycle expedition.

Percy (plot F16) is buried next to a comrade (Pte Share,KIA 28.4.1917- plot F17) in Athies Communal Cemetery Extension, 5 kms east of Arras.

[KathrynWhite]

Thank you for all of that information, Sotonmate!

I've received a digital copy of his enlistment which he signed on 1st June 1916 and which was stamped in Bristol on 28th October 1916. Is there likely to be one prior to this too? This one says Royal Field Artillery at the bottom but there must have been some change to Y&L as surely there wouldn't be enough time to serve in both as there was only 6 months until he died? On Q7 of the enlistment he says he has never served in the armed forces before. Could this be a lie?

The information from the local war memorial (which I think his wife contributed to) gives a former service number of 18375.

There is some confusion as to his date of death. The local memorial gives it as 28th April 1917 but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives it as 20th April.

I also have a digital copy of his medal card if this can tell us any more.

I've visited the Athies Cemetary a few times before.

[Stebie9173]

There are several more pages to Percy William Parsons records:

Enlisted 2-6-1916

Mobilised 24-10-1916

Initially posted to the Royal Field Artillery on 25-10-1916

Transferred to the West Yorkshire Regiment on 14-12-1916

Posted overseas 5-3-1917

Posted initially to the 1st Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment for service in France

Held at the infantry Base Depot on the French coast for final training

Posted to 10th York & Lancaster Regiment on 14-4-1917

There should be some arrows on the Ancestry reader webpages (mine appear at the bottom, some are at the top). You can use these to navigate through his pages.

Steve.

[KathrynWhite]

Thank you for that information Steve. What was the document title? I'll do a free trial trial on Ancestry and take a look. Does it mention anything of the men he served alongside, or give any clues to how I may find them?

[sotonmate]

Kathryn

The War Diary will have the number of soldiers they received in the draft sent from the Infantry Base Depot on 14 April 1917. You are talking just less than 2 weeks together in the unit. The Diary might show names,but more likely not.

[sotonmate]

K

I have sampled some dates in Soldiers Died in the Great War to give you some direction on visiting soldiers of the 10 Y&L who fought alongside Percy.

21 and 22 April 1917. 5 soldiers buried at Duisans Brit Cemetery, Etrun

21 and 23 April. 8 soldiers commemorated on the Fauborg d'Amiens Memorial,Arras.

23 and 24 April. 4 soldiers buried at Aubigny Communal Cem Extension.

26 April. 1 soldier buried at Etaples III Cemetery (died of wounds).

28 April. 14 soldiers buried at Chili Trench,Gavrelle.

[KathrynWhite]

Thank you so much for your help.

I have been to my local library today and have downloaded the documents about Percy from Ancestry. It's been a real eye opener seeing the transfers he made and the places he went on his journey into war.

It seems that he never got to fight in a battle, as he joined the Y&L at the end of the First Battle of the Scarpe but died before the Second. Such a tragic story for a man who had two children under the age of four, but alas, those are the horrors of war.

[Guest]

Hello Kathryn,

Percy Parsons is commemorated on the war memorial in Stinchcombe, the next village to North Nibley where he and his wife lived.  Possibly they attended St Cyr's church here?  Our History Society is planning a small exhibition to mark the Armistice Centenary and we would love to include more information about him if you have it.  

Kath

[Mark1959]

Re his DoD. The Grave Registration report form does not give a DoD for him or the other 10 Y&L man buried next to him. The book listing says 20th April. However, if you read the headstone document it says 28th April so that is what is on his gravestone one assumes. The date is the same for E. Share buried next to him. 

His Effects record says 21-28th April. 

SDGW says 28th. 

The war diary says the attack did not start until after 20/4. 

Balance of probability is the later date or somewhere in between.