PARKES, John

John Parkes was the son of Lucy Parkes (later Brettle of 49 Park Road, Wollaston) and attended Wollescote school. He was a regular soldier in the Worcesters who had served in the 2nd Battalion. After joining his battalion from the Reserve in August 1914 he was probably involved in the Retreat from Mons, the Battle of the Aisne and the First Battle of Ypres. In the Spring of 1915 the Worcesters took part in the attacks in Artois. The second battle at Festubert opened on the 15th May and at some point Private John Parkes was wounded. He was sent home for recovery but died on the 28th May. He was 27 years of age and is buried in Lye and Wollescote Cemetery (K B 48) and commemorated on the Lye and Wollescote, Lye church and Wollescote school memorials.