Francis Alexander Parry
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of Edward, a civil engineer, and Mary Elizabeth Parry. His parents gave an exhibition (scholarship) at Rugby School in their sons' names after the war to commemorate them, which would seem to suggest that they both attended Rugby School at some point. It was not unusual during these years for boys to start their education at the Nottingham High School and then to go to boarding school later for a final “polish”. His parents were living at “Rossmore”, Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa at the time of Francis' death. His younger brother, Norman Cecil Parry, was killed at Ypres in 1915, aged 27. He does not seem to have attended the High School, unlike three of his brothers.
The Trinity College Memorial lists him as Major, acting Lieutenant-Colonel, 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. It states he was wounded and awarded the Military Cross in 1916. The 16th Royal Warwickshires were one of three that made up the Birmingham Pals.Francis was killed on 27 September 1918 and is buried in Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France (grave ref. VI.H.3).
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'The goal of this great world lies beyond sight' (Quotation from the epilogue 'To the Queen' from 'The Idylls of the King', Alfred Lord Tennyson.)The citation for his Military Cross was published in the 'London Gazette' on 14th November 1916:“Temp. Capt. Francis Alexander Parry, R. War. R.“For conspicuous gallantry during operations. He commanded his company with great skill and determination, after suffering heavy casualties. Though wounded, he remained with his company, and displayed great devotion to duty.”Extract from the Nottingham Evening Post dated 4th October 1918 : - “KILLED. “Major F. A. PARRY, M.C. , Royal Warwicks, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Parry, of Rossmore, Leamington, formerly of Woodthorpe Grange, Nottingham, aged 35, was killed in action on Sept. 27th. Mr. Parry, sen., will be remembered as having had charge of the construction of the section of the Great Central Railway Company's extension to London which lies between Annesley and a point between East Leake and LoughboroughAbove information courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
