Pte 39279 David Parkes

• Age: 28
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 21st March 1917
• Commemorated at: Avesnes-le- Comte Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: II.C.13

David was born on the 29th July 1888, the son of Thomas Parkes and his wife Sarah (née Pearson) who married in St. Peter’s Church, Liverpool on 29th November 1875. Thomas was a 23 year old mariner of Plumbe Street, father Charles a labourer, whilst Sarah was aged 20 also of Plumbe Street, father Robert a fisherman.

David was baptised on the 06th September 1888 at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Highfield Street. Both parents were born in Liverpool. In the early years of marriage the couple lived in court housing in Burlington Street. 

The 1891 Census shows the family are living at 16 Laughton Road, Litherland. David is two years of age and lives with both parents and four siblings His father is a 45 year old seaman, whilst his mother is 32 years of age. His siblings are recorded as; Sarah E. aged 14, Margaret aged 12, Elizabeth aged 7 and Robert aged under 1 year.

By 1901 the family are living at 40 Akenside Street, Bootle. David is 13 and lives with his parents and brother Robert who is aged 10. His father is now 49 years of age and employed as a dock labourer, whilst his mother is 46 years of age.

At he time of the 1911 Census the family are living at 5 Norfolk Place, Seaforth. David is 22 and employed as a newsagent’s clerk, he lives with his parents and his brother Robert who is now aged 20 and employed as a labourer. His parents advise that they have been married 36 years and have had 8 children of whom 6 have survived. 

David married, 21 year old, Sarah Woods on the 04th June 1911 in Seaforth (from baptism record), and their first child David Junior was born in 1912, He sadly died at four months old and was buried in Ford cemetery. Mary Catherine was born on the 25th June 1914  and Thomas William was born on the 8th March 1916. 

David enlisted in Liverpool and was serving with the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 39279 when he died of wounds at No.37 Casualty Clearing Station on 21st March 1917, aged 28.

He now rests at Avesnes Comte Communal Cemetery Extension in France. 

The village of Avesnes-le-Comte was for some time the VI Corps headquarters. The 37th and 30th Casualty Clearing Stations were there from April 1916, the 42nd in June 1916, and the 41st in January 1917. The communal cemetery contains 2 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, both made in April 1916. Thereafter, burials were made in the extension, which contains 333 graves, 4 of which are unidentified. Most of these were from the 37th CCS which stayed in the village until July 1917. The Extension also contains 4 Second World War burials. The Extension was designed by Charles Holden.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on Saturday 07 April 1917: 

ROLL OF HONOUR. 

Private D. Parkes died on the 21st March, from wounds received in action the previous day. He was 28 and leaves a widow and two young children residing at 51 Aikenside Street, Bootle. Before the war he was employed by Mr A. H. Jackson, Derby Road, Bootle, “express” newsagent. 

His daughter Mary was two years old when her father died, and son Thomas was under a year old.

He was rememebered by his wife and children in the Liverpool Evening Express on the first anniversary of his death on Thursday 21 March 1918: 

ROLL OF HONOUR. 

PARKES— In sad but loving remembrance of Private David Parkes K.L.R., killed in action March 21, 1917. (R.I.P.)  

One long, sad year has passed 

Since my great sorrow fell. 

Yet in my heart I mourn the loss 

Of him I love so well. 

Oft I think of you dear husband,  

And my heart is sad with pain;  

Oh, this world would be a heaven  

Could I hear your voice again. 

- From his sorrowing wife Sarah and two little children.  

PARKES – In loving memory of Pte. David Parkes K.L.R., killed in action, March 21st, 1917. (Sadly missed by his father, mother, sisters, and brother at sea.  R.I.P.) 

No mother's care did him attend  

Nor o’er him did a father bend;  

No sisters by to shed a tear.  

No brother by his words to hear.  

Do not ask us if we miss him.  

There is such a vacant place;  

Can we ever forget his footsteps,  

Or his dear, kind, smiling face. 

He was also remembered on the second anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Evening Express on Friday 21 March 1919:  

ROLL OF HONOUR. 

PARKES - In loving memory of my dear husband Private David Parkes K.L.R., killed in action, March 21, 1917. (R.I.P.) Two years have gone, and still to memory dear, 

We breathe your loving name and wipe away a tear.  

Time cannot alter love so deep and true, 

But to-day just brings to us our grief anew.  

- From his sorrowing wife and children.  

PARKES – In loving memory of Pte. David Parkes K.L.R., killed in action, March 21st, 1917. (Sadly missed by his father, mother, sisters, and brother. R.I.P.)  

Sweet be your rest my son, so dear.  

‘Tis sweet to breathe your name;  

In life we loved you very dear.  

In death we do the same. 

A loving brother, true and kind,  

A beautiful memory left behind. 

Soldiers effects, army pay of £2 14s 1d, War Gratuity £3, and Pension of 22/11 pw went to his widow Sarah. 

On the 1921 Census Sarah, aged 31, is working as a cleaner on the overhead railway, Mary is 7 and Thomas 5. Also staying is niece Elizabeth Boylan, aged 17. 

His daughter Mary was two years old when her father died, and son Thomas was under a year old.

David is commemorated on both the Bootle Civic Memorial and in St. James RC Church, Bootle.

His widow Sarah was still living in Akenside Street in 1939 with her daughter Mary.

Sarah never remarried, and died at the age of 92.

We currently have no further information on David Parkes, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.