Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Whaley Parks, a market gardener and lamp lighter, born 24th June 1855 in Knipton, Leicestershire, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Parks, born 1853 in Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire. Frank, a schoolboy, was born in the 4th quarter of 1895 in West Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire, his siblings were, Edgar, a stone mason, born 1880 in Bottesford, Leicestershire, William E., a signal fitter, born 1884 in Stathern, Leicestershire, Walter, a grocer’s porter, born 1886 in Cropwell Butler, Nottinghamshire, Henry, a picture frame maker, born 1888 in Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire and Lucy, a schoolgirl, born 1894 in Nottingham, in March 1901 the family home was at 37, Lady Bay Road, West Bridgeford. In April 1911 Frank was employed as a butcher and was residing in the family home at 161, Trent Boulevard, West Bridgeford, together with his father, a foreman lamp lighter, his mother and siblings, Walter, a fish monger and Lucy, a blouse maker.
Frank attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years Service in the United Kingdom on the 11th November 1914 in Nottingham. He gave his home address as 30, Lamcote Grove, Meadows, Nottingham. He gave his father, Robert Parks of Stathern, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7¼ inches in height, weighed 125 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31½ and 35½ inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment as a Private, service number 3577 on the 11/11/14. Posted to the 2/7th Battalion Notts. & Derby Regiment and embodied service commenced on the 11/11/14. Disembarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France and transferred to the 1/7th Battalion Notts. & Derby Regiment on the 18/8/15. Joined the 1/7th Battalion Notts. & Derby Regiment, in the field on the 15/9/15. Killed in action 24/6/16. Buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, France, Sheet 57D 1/40,000. E.27.a.3.10. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 11/11/14 – 17/8/15, 280 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 18/8/15 – 24/6/16, 312 days. Total service 1 year and 227 days. Frank was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. Frank’s personal effects comprising a hairbrush, pouch, broken pipe, air pillow, letters, pocket book, photo’s, P.Cs, testament, everyday manual and soldier’s companion were forwarded to his father by the Officer in Charge, territorial Force Records, Lichfield. Frank’s surviving service documents are in a very 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.
The War Diary records: 24 Jun-16 – BIENVILLERS. Major L. A. HIND assumed command of the Battalion on 18th May 1916 vice Lieutenant Colonel A. W. BREWILL D.S.O., V.D. 2nd Lieutenant CHARLES joined the Battalion and was posted to “C” Company.
On Friday July 7th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – STATHERN. – LOCAL SOLDIERS DEATH. We greatly regret to record the death of Private F. Parks, youngest son of Mr. R. Parks, of this village. The deceased joined the Sherwoods in October, 1914. He was at the battle of Loos, and came out of it without a scratch. On the 24th June he was on an important patrol, and was shot, his “death being instantaneous and painless.” His Captain in a letter to his parents, speaks most highly of him, and says “he was always cheerful and did his work excellently. He was always willing to do anything that was wanted, and was absolutely fearless in the face of danger.” Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents and relatives in their sad loss. They have the consolation of knowing that he laid down his life for his King and country. He was 22 years of age.
On Friday July 21st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The following casualties were officially reported on Saturday. The town shown against each soldier’s name is the home of his next of kin. Wounded: East Surrey Regiment, 698 Sergt. H. Lee (Melton Mowbray); King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 13019 Private C. M. Goodman (Melton Mowbray). The following were among the casualties reported in Tuesday’s list:- Killed: Sherwood Foresters, 3577 Private F. Parks (Melton Mowbray). Wounded: Leicestershire Regiment, 12277 Private G. H. Clow (Oakham). 12957 Sergeant A. Jordan (Barrow). The casualties reported on Wednesday included:- 3322 Private F. Branston (Melton Mowbray). Yesterday’s list included:- Wounded: Royal Sussex Regt., 2910 Furmidge Lance Corpl. J. S. (Melton Mowbray).