Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Albert Victor Parker was born on 4th June 1892 in Brockham, Surrey to lime burner Thomas and Agnes Eva (nee England).
At the time of the 1901 Census, the widowed Thomas Parker lived at Brockham Lime Works, Brockham. The household further comprised of his children: railway point-turner Thomas, under gardener George and Albert.
Albert enlisted into the Royal Navy on 5th July 1910 in Chatham, Kent for a duration of 12 years. He was a Stoker, 2nd Class and his service number was: K/7341. At the time of his enlistment he was working as a labourer. He had a fresh complexion, light brown hair and grey eyes. He served aboard several ships: HMS Pembroke II, HMS Diamond, HMS Actaeon, HMS Hawke and HMS Doris. The first ship on which Albert served aboard was HMS Pembroke II: from 5th July 1910 to 4th November 1910.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Albert was an Able Seaman, 2nd Class on HMS Diamond, Falmouth Harbour, England. On 5th July 1911 he became a Stoker, 1st Class. The last ship Albert served on was HMS Diamond: from 1st August 1914.
Soon after the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Army. Albert Parker alias Albert Walker enlisted in Edinburgh into the 1st Battalion, the Highland Light Infantry. He was a Private with regimental number 24343. His Battalion moved to Mesopotamia in December 1915.
Albert was shot in the head in action on the 9th of January 1917 in Mesopotamia.
BROCKHAM SOLDIER KILLED IN MESOPOTAMIA
Private Albert Victor Parker, youngest son of Mr. Thomas Parker, 4 Pit Cottages was killed in action in Mesopotamia on January 9th. The sad news, just received by his sister-in-law, Mrs. T. Parker was conveyed in the following letter: “It is with extreme regret that I write to inform you that your brother was killed in action on the 9th January We had advanced over the open and were digging in, when it happened. Death was instantaneous, a bullet in the head. “He was much liked by the rest of his section, and was a No. 1 on the gun. As a last tribute, he was laid to rest by his own gun team, and a small wooden cross with the necessary particulars, was made by them and erected over his grave. He died a glorious death fighting for his country – Geo C. Bow O.C, No. 3 Section” A letter couched in almost identical terms, was received from another comrade in arms, which contained some Indian coins and photos that were found on the body. Private Parker, who was only 21 years of age was in the Royal Navy for some years. Soon after the outbreak of war he enlisted in the Highland Light Infantry, and was sent to Mesopotamia over 13 months ago. His oldest brother, Private Alfred Parker, East Kent, was killed in France on March 3rd last, so that the bereaved father, a widower, has lost two sons within the short space of two months.
Albert Parker Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq. His panel reference numbers are: 35 and 64.
Albert received the British War and Victory medals.
Albert’s father Thomas received £12, 11s and 1d on 10th October 1917 and a further £6 on 28th November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Albert’s oldest brother Alfred died of wounds on the 3rd of March 1917, in France. He was part of the 7th Battalion, the Buffs (East Kent) Regiment. Alfred died two months after his brother.
Albert’s father Thomas Parker lived in 1917 at 4 Pit Cottages in Brockham.
Parker Family History
Albert’s father Thomas was born about 1851 in Betchworth to William, born probably in Horley, Surrey and Hannah (nee Croft), born in Ockley, Surrey. Hannah later re-married William Weller. His mother Agnes Eva was born in the 3rd quarter of 1857 in Grinstead, Wiltshire to agricultural labourer James, born about 1804 in Grinstead and Mary, born about 1815 in Sutton, Wiltshire. Thomas and Agnes married on 10th November 1877 at St Peter’s church, Norbiton, Surrey. The couple lived in Norbiton and Thomas was working as a labourer.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived in Brockham. Thomas was a labourer at lime works and Agnes was looking after their son Alfred. The household further comprised of a lodger.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Tweed Lane, Brockham. Thomas was still working at the limeworks and Agnes was looking after their children: Alfred, Fanny A., Thomas and George W.
Albert Parker had four siblings: Alfred born about 1881; Fanny A. born about 1882; Thomas born about 1884 and George born about 1887, all in Brockham. Albert’s mother Agnes died in the 3rd quarter of 1899 in Surrey.
| Born | Brockham, Surrey | |
| Lived | Brockham, Surrey | |
| Son of | Thomas and the late Agnes Eva (nee England) Parker | |
| Brother of | Alfred Parker | |
| Enlisted | Edinburgh | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry | |
| Number | 24343 | |
| Date of Death | 9th January 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Mesopotamia | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 24 | |
| Cemetery | Basra Memorial, Iraq. Panel: 35 and 64. |
