PARKER, Ernest Harold

Ernest Parker was one of three sons on active service of Herbert Parker, glass engraver, of 24 Lower Hill Street, Stourbridge, and later of Broadway, Worcs. He enlisted in the Warwicks and joined the 14th (Service) Battalion. This was the 1st Birmingham Pals Battalion which went to France in November 1915 and joined the 5th Division on the Somme near Fricourt. In the 1916 Battle of the Somme the Warwicks were present at High Wood, Gillemont and Morval. In early 1917 they transferred to Artois and fought in the first three phases of the Battle of Arras in April and May. The first was marked by the successful capture of Vimy Ridge on the 9th April and the Warwicks were still there in July. Although there were no more set battles, shell fire was always a serious hazard and Private Ernest Parker was killed in action on the 7th July. He was 26 years of age and is commemorated on the Arras, Stourbridge and Broadway Memorials.