PARFITT, Maurice

Maurice Parfitt was the son of James Henry and Mary Eliza Parfitt of Pensnett. He attended King Edward’s School in Stourbridge from 1902 to 1905 and probably worked in Birmingham. He was an early volunteer for the Warwicks and enlisted in the 16th (3rd Birmingham) Battalion (A Company No 3 Platoon). They fought strongly in the Battle of the Somme at Delville Wood and later at Morval. In April 1917 they were part of the force assembled for the Battle of Arras and the capture of Vimy Ridge. They took part in the second phase of 14th April against well prepared German defences but among the casualties was Lance Corporal Maurice Parfitt who died of wounds on the 21st April. He was 27 years of age and is buried in Barlin Community Cemetery Extension (I A 49) and commemorated on the Pensnett, and King Edward VI College, Stourbridge, Memorials.