John Parkin
He was an old scholar of the Retford National School and before the war was employed by Mr William Crossland, coal merchant, Grove Street, Retford
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
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John Parkin was born in 1882 at East Retford, Nottinghamshire, he was the son of the late Arthur Parkin a labourer and Annie Elizabeth Parkin née Hall of 12 Spa Lane, Retford.
His father Arthur was born in 1857 at Retford, he died in 1905 aged 48 yrs, his mother Ann Elizabeth Hall was born in 1861 at Retford, they were married on 17th August 1884 at St John’s Church, Worksop. They went on to have 4 children.
In the 1911 census his widowed mother is living as 12 Spa Lane, Retford, she is shown as being 49 yrs and a widow she is living with her children, John 28 yrs a carter, Fred 19 yrs a iron foundry worker, Arthur 15 yrs an errand boy and Lily 25 yrs a garden worker.
On 26th December 1912 John married Elizabeth Gregory at Retford and lived at Moorgate Hill, Retford with their two young children Florence born 25th October 1913 and Lily born 25th August 1915.
Following his death Elizabeth moved with her children to Rotherham to be with her parents.
Commencing 13th March 1918 his widow was awarded a pension of 9 shillings and 2 pence a week.
Private John Parkin enlisted in June 1916 at Sheffield whilst residing at Retford, he served with the 17th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment, he went to France in November 1916 he was killed in action on 4th August 1917 and is buried at Track X Cemetery, Belgium.
Pte John Parkin Retford Times 7 Sept 1917
Mrs Parkin, 12 Spa Lane, Retford, widow of the late Mr Arthur Parkin who years ago was employed by Messrs Hurst and Son, builders and joiners, Corporation Wharfe, Retford, has just heard that the eldest of her three sons, serving in the war has made the great sacrifice. He is Pte John Parkin (35) Sherwood Foresters, Moorgate Hill, Retford. His wife, who is left with two young children, and is now living with her parents at Rotherham, received information from the War Office that he was killed on July 30th. He joined the colours a year ago last June and had been in France about nine months. He was an old scholar of the Retford National School and before the war was employed by Mr William Crossland, coal merchant, Grove Street, Retford. The other two brothers of the deceased soldier are also in the Sherwood Foresters, viz, Pte Fred Parkin (26) who has been serving for nearly three years and was formerly employed at the Carr Foundry; and Pte Arthur Parkin (22) who was called up last July and is now training at Sunderland. He was a shunter on the Great Central Railway, Retford.
John Parkin
This photo was first published in the Retford Times following the death of John Parkin
John Parkin
Buried in Track "X" Cemetery.