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This data is related to World War 2
Civilian

Alfred Sydney Parkes (37)

Service Number N/A
Military Unit Co-op Bakery Meadow Lane Nottingham 9/5/1941
Date of birth Unknown
Date of Death Unknown (Age Unknown)
Place of Birth Nottingham (?/10/1904)
Employment, Education or Hobbies Alfred Sydney Parkes was a general labourer in 1939.
Family History

Alfred Sydney Parkes was the son of Walter and Mary Ann Parks and the brother of Alice Annie, Samuel Edward, Evelyn May, Frederick Henry, Winifred Mary, Sara Ivy, Harry William, Lillie Rose and Dorothy June Parkes. In 1921, they lived at 32, Mayfield Grove, Meadows, Nottingham. In 1927, Alfred married Ada Louisa Wallace at Nottingham. By 1939, they had moved to 81, Fenwick Road with their children Louisa, Mabel, June, Sidney and Joan. At the time of Alfred’s death in 1941, he and Ada lived at 92, Raymede Drive, Bestwood Park Estate, Nottingham.

Military History

Nottingham’s heaviest loss of life at a single location during May 9th 1941’s air raid occurred within the Co-op Bakery on Meadow Lane where 49 night shift workers perished. The bakery was hit twice; one bomb caused tons of flour stored on upper floors to crash down to ground level. A second device penetrated the bakery’s air raid shelter roof before exploding amongst the assembled work force. Rescue efforts were impeded by blazing fat. For an excellent account of this incident, see David Needham, Battle of the Flames, Nottingham’s Fight for Survival in WWII (2nd Ed. Chesterfield: Banister Publications Ltd, 2020 p.p. 141-142. First Ed. Horizon Press, 2009).

Extra Information

Grave Reference: Nottingham Northern Cemetery: 013/26 Buried May 15th 1941

Photographs

No Photos