Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Parker, born 1861 in Scalford, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Ann Parker (nee Carter, married in the 1st quarter of 1884 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1864 in Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire. Francis’s mother died in the 1st quarter of 1897 aged 33, in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, this could possibly have been caused by complications at birth, given that Francis is recorded as being born in the same quarter, but this is purely conjecture, and is not based on any factual information. In March 1901 Francis (Frank), who was born in the 1st quarter of 1897 in Scalford and was baptised on the 29th January 1897 in the parish church, Scalford, was residing in New Street, Scalford, this being the family home of his paternal Uncle, William Parker, a platelayer, born 1856 in Scalford and his wife Eliza Parker, born 1862 in Marston, Lincolnshire, also residing in the family home were his cousins, Lucy Parker, born 1885 and Hilda Parker, born 1892, the latter two cousins were born in Scalford. In April 1911 Francis was employed as a farm worker and was residing in Scalford, together with his paternal Uncle, William Parker, a platelayer and his wife Eliza Parker.
Francis had the following siblings, Mary Ellen, born 1885, Minnie, born 1887, Bertha, born 1889, John Cecil, born 12th October 1888, the latter four siblings were born in Waltham on the Wolds, Frederick William, born 1891, Edith, born 1894 and Alice, born 1897, the latter three siblings were born in Scalford.
Francis attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years Service in the United Kingdom on the 27th November 1915 at The Magazine, Leicester. He gave his home address as Scalford, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years and 10 months, his trade or calling as farm labourer, his religion as Church of England and gave his father, Mr. William Parker of Scalford, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5¾ inches in height, weighed 137 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His physical development was described as good. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 27th November 1915 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 5528 on the 27/11/15. Posted to the 3/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and embodied service commenced on the 27/11/15. Transferred to the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 1/4/16. Embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 2/4/16. Disembarked Rouen on the 6/4/16. Joined 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 22/4/16. Appointed Lance Corporal (Paid) on the 11/1/17. Admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance, in the field suffering from a gunshot wound? Sprained left hand. Fracture to the metacarpal on the 23/2/17. Transferred and admitted to the No.6 Stationary Hospital, Fricourt on the 26/2/17. Admitted to No.1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples on the 1/3/17. Invalided aboard the Hospital Ship Staad Antwerpen to England on the 3/3/17. Transferred to Southern Section on the 17/3/17. Appointed Acting Corporal on the 9/4/17. Reverts to Private at own request on the 28/8/17. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 2/10/17. Disembarked and posted to the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 2/10/17. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and allotted the service number 201764 on the 7/10/17.Admitted -?- on the 3/3/18. Admitted to the 12th Convalescent Depot on the 5/4/18. Transferred to the Infantry Brigade Depot on the 23/5/18. Joined the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 17/6/18. Killed in action, place not stated on the 2/9/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 27/11/15 – 4/4/16, 129 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 5/4/16 – 3/3/17, 333days. Home Service, 4/3/17 – 1/10/17, 212 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/10/17 – 2/9/18, 336 days. Total service 2 years 280 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Francis’s Aunt and Foster Mother, Eliza Parker on the 13th January 1920, and was witnessed and signed by John -?-, Wesleyan Minister, 10, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Frederick Parker of Scalford, Melton Mowbray. Mother of soldier, dead. Full blood bothers of soldier, not known. Full blood sisters of soldier, not known. Uncles and Aunts by blood of soldier, William Parker of Scalford, Melton Mowbray. John Carter of Waltham, Melton Mowbray. Francis’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Friday April 6th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “SCALFORD” – HOME FROM THE FRONT.- Private Frank Parker is home from the front on sick leave, after being there about 12 months.
The War Diary records: 2 Sep-18 - WEST OF BEAULENCOURT. 3.00am. “A” and “D” Companies attacked SUGAR FACTORY from north. Assembly positions south edge of BEAULENCOURT astride BAPAUME – LE TRANSLOY ROAD. Attack successful. 4.30am. Enemy counter attacked, Companies driven back to line of assembly positions. 7.00am. SUGAR FACTORY re-taken. 17th Division went through on south of FACTORY, enemy evacuated, 3 machine guns and approximately 40 prisoners taken by Battalion. Lieutenant WARREN, 2nd Lieutenant STATHAM wounded in action. 4.00pm. Battalion Headquarters moved to N.24.a close to SUGAR FACTORY with Companies in reserve line LABDA COPSE – O.13.c to SUGAR FACORY - N.24. “A” and “B”. Slight enemy shelling.
On Friday September 20th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “SCALFORD.” – SCALFORD SOLDIERS KILLED. – News has been received this week of the death of two Scalford boys at the front. On Monday morning Mr. Asa Hewitt, of the Old Brickyard, had notice that his son Pte. E. Hewitt, of the Canadians, had been killed in action on August 27th. Just before the war Pte. Hewitt emigrated to Canada, and on the outbreak of war joined the Canadian forces. This makes the third son Mr. Hewitt has lost in the war. He also had one son killed in the South African War. On Tuesday morning Mrs. W. Parker received a letter from a chaplain informing her that her son, Pte. F. Parker, of the Leicester Regt., was killed in action on Sept. 2nd. Pte. Parker, who is only 21 years of age, joined up in November 1915. He was a bright cheery lad, and was much respected by all who knew him.