William Watson Parkin
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William Watson Parkin was born in 1898 at Gateshead he was the son of John George a blacksmith and Mary Parkin née Gardener and the brother of Thomas, John George, Bertha Lilian and Thomasina Parkin.
His father John George was born in 1868 at Houghton Le Spring, his mother Mary Ann Gardener was born in 1876 at Cheston Moore they were married in 1897 at Houghton Le Spring, they went on to have 6 children, sadly 1 died in infancy or early childhood.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 18 Coliiery Road Wilford Road Meadows Nottingham, John George 43 yrs is a blacksmith, he is living with his wife Mary Ann 35 yrs and their children, William Watson 12 yrs, Thomas 10 yrs, John George 5 yrs, Bertha Lilian 8 yrs and Thomasina 6 yrs of age.
The family later lived at 34 Colliery Road.
Private William Watson Parkin enlisted at Houghton Le Spring, he served with the 1/7th Sherwood Foresters Regiment, He went to France on 27th October 1915 and was killed in action, 1st July 1916, aged 18, during the attack on the German positions at Gommecourt, France, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Having no known grave his name is commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, France. Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.
additional information and research Peter Gillings
Photo of William Watson Parkin
Thiepval Memorial France courtesy of cwgc