huytonhoofer Posted 17 March , 2008 Share Posted 17 March , 2008 Hi Everyone As always, looking for an answer, but not for me this time around. At the latest meeting of our village history group a guest came along to share some of his families WW1 memorabilia relating to two Great Uncles ( Robert and Fred Grint) who had served with the 15th and 22nd Durhams during WW1, both of whom lost their lives. Amongst the pieces he had with him was a War medal for Stoker 4663S Parks. William, Royal Naval Reserve who lost his life when HMS Hampshire went down on 5th June 1916, with Lord Kitchener aboard. Our chap is unable to make a connection with Stoker W. Parks to the Grint family and wonders why this medal is amongst the family possessions. Where can we get hold of documentation that may help fill in the gaps or provide a start to understanding the medals place in the tin and if their is a Co. Durham connection somewhere in this line. Thanks in advance for taking the time to have a look. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 17 March , 2008 Share Posted 17 March , 2008 perhaps he was a friend of the family ? ive my great grandads medals and those of his best friend too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 17 March , 2008 Share Posted 17 March , 2008 Ancestry shows a William Parks in Trimford in 1901 - that's only about 3 miles away from Cornforth where the Grints were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 17 March , 2008 Share Posted 17 March , 2008 Pure conjecture , but I know of more than one occasion when, a veteran passing away, his friends were given a medal as a memento. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huytonhoofer Posted 17 March , 2008 Author Share Posted 17 March , 2008 Thanks for taking the time lads. It's a puzzle to be solved. Like you, i think there will be some tenuous link that will turn out to be a local connection. I wondered about the Trimdon ( Trimford) link spotted on Ancestry and asked if there may have been a marriage or relationship that may explain the medals. A service record may give a place of birth but I don't know where to look to find that one. Any ideas? Once again thanks for taking an interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 17 March , 2008 Share Posted 17 March , 2008 Two choices for an RNR record of service: the originals are held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum; NA Kew has filmed copies. Nothing on-line, I'm afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historydavid Posted 17 March , 2008 Share Posted 17 March , 2008 Jack, Only 12 men survived the sinking of the HMS Hampshire their names are listed below: Bennet, William Warrant Mechanician Bowman, John Robert A.B. J.15315 (PO) Buerdshell, Horace Llewellyn A.B. J.15527 (PO) Cashman, William Leading Seaman 228580 (PO) Farden, Walter Charles Stoker 1st Class K. 18337 (PO) Phillips, William Charles Shipwright 1st Class 343500 (PO) Read, Alfred Ernest Stoker 1st Class K.15762 (PO) Rogerson, Charles Walter Leading Seaman 236059 (PO) Simpson, Richard A.B. R.N.V.R Tyne Z/5589 Sims, Frederick Lot Stoker 1st Class SS.113673 (PO) Sweeney, Samuel Edward Petty Officer 1st Class 155874 (PO) Wesson, Wilfred Petty Officer 201136 (PO) None of these would appear to have a direct connection to the Parks or Grint famillies. Best wishes David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterinkent Posted 17 March , 2008 Share Posted 17 March , 2008 Jack, Only 12 men survived the sinking of the HMS Hampshire their names are listed below: Bennet, William Warrant Mechanician Bowman, John Robert A.B. J.15315 (PO) Buerdshell, Horace Llewellyn A.B. J.15527 (PO) Cashman, William Leading Seaman 228580 (PO) Farden, Walter Charles Stoker 1st Class K. 18337 (PO) Phillips, William Charles Shipwright 1st Class 343500 (PO) Read, Alfred Ernest Stoker 1st Class K.15762 (PO) Rogerson, Charles Walter Leading Seaman 236059 (PO) Simpson, Richard A.B. R.N.V.R Tyne Z/5589 Sims, Frederick Lot Stoker 1st Class SS.113673 (PO) Sweeney, Samuel Edward Petty Officer 1st Class 155874 (PO) Wesson, Wilfred Petty Officer 201136 (PO) None of these would appear to have a direct connection to the Parks or Grint famillies. Best wishes David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterinkent Posted 17 March , 2008 Share Posted 17 March , 2008 You could also look at the medal roll in ADM 171 and see who the medal was issued to might give a clue. Not on line either however Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huytonhoofer Posted 18 March , 2008 Author Share Posted 18 March , 2008 Horatio, Peter, David. many thanks for these additional pointers. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItemCo16527 Posted 21 March , 2008 Share Posted 21 March , 2008 Just checked the National Archives site, and no record for your William Parks. For your reference, the database is called Royal Naval Seamen (1853 - 1923), and the only William Parks I could find are listed here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 21 March , 2008 Share Posted 21 March , 2008 No point looking there. That database is for RN only NOT RNR or RNVR. See my post #6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItemCo16527 Posted 21 March , 2008 Share Posted 21 March , 2008 Woops! Don't know how I missed that. I must be going blind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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