TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN HONOUR OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-1918
- Lt J Parker KO Lancs
- Pte W Long CEF
- Cpl H Matthews Wilts Regt
- Pte G Potter Wilts Regt
- Pte B Kyte RAMC
- Pte H Meaden Ryl Engineers
- Cpl C Giddings Ryl Wilts Yeomn
- Pte A Mundy Ryl Fusiliers
- L Cpl PW Yates Ryl Warwicks
- Pte HF Kyte Ryl Warwicks
- Pte WJ Kyte Leinster Regt
- Sgt AA Kyte OW Rifles
This Memorial Plaque medallion was issued after the First World War to the next-of-kin of all British Empire service personnel who died as a result of the war.
THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE 1939-1945
George Clegg
My name is Dr John Black. I was born in Wiltshire, my father was a constable in the Wiltshire Constabulary from 1935 to 1965. During the 1950s we lived in Market Lavington. I joined the Army RAMC as a boy entrant in 1962 and served in Ludgershall for part of my service. On leaving the Army in 1975 I trained as a secondary school teacher. In retirement my interest has returned to some earlier research that I previously conducted whilst an undergraduate in the late 1970s, This involved an exploration of Victorian village elementary schools on Salisbury Plain.
I am interested in the Parker family, particularly John R Parker an army pensioner and licensee of the Black Horse pub in Tilshead village. I have obtained a copy of John R parker’s (senior) record of service. The began his military life as a volunteer in the King’s Own Royal Lanacter Regiment (the for-runner of the Territorial Army) and enlisted into the Royal Artillery where he became a senior NCO attached to the Army Gymnastic Staff and spent most of his service at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich.
John Senior was medically discharged from the Army in 1904, with a pension for his 19 year service and on his records his place of residence was the Officer’s Mess, F lines Bulford Camp. I believe that he obtained a post as civilian officer’s mess steward, or something similar. Later either from 1908 onward he took over the licence of the Black Horse public house in the village. The previous licensee was a Mrs Edith Smith, who in March 1907 was acquitted by Devizes magistrates from charges of allowing gaming on the premises.(Reported in the Salisbury Times 11 May 1907).
However, I wonder if you could clarify some points related to John Parker (Senior) and Junior).
First I am interested in the newspaper reports from the Western Advertiser reporting the death in action of John Parker (junior). Do you have the date of this newpaper report?
Second point is from the newspaper report it states that John Parker (senior) had re-enlsited in 1914 and had become the Regimental Sergeant Major of one of the battalions of the King’s Own. I am having a bit of a problem verifying this due to the Covid closure of the King’s Own Museum.
many thanks for any assistance you can give on this matter of my research
Thanks for your message – hopefully George will have all the answers!
Sorry! Just picked this up! I’ll get on it.