Pte 15537 Hugh Parry

• Age: 27
• From: Bala, Merioneth
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 5th February 1916
• Commemorated at: Corbie Cc
  Panel Ref: I.D.33

Hugh was born in the forth quarter of 1888 at Bala, Merionethshire the son of Evan Parry and his wife Margaret (nee Jones).

The 1891 Census shows the family are living at Llwynrodyn, Llanysil. Hugh is 2 years of age and lives with his parents and older brother John aged 3. His father is a 33 year old farmer born in Eglwysbach, Denbighshire, whilst his mother is 28 years of age and also described as a farmer. Also present are Thomas and Elizabeth Jones who are both listed as servant.     

The Census of 1901 shows that Hugh aged 12 lived with his father, a 43 year old certified elementary school teacher, and  his 38 year old mother at School House, (Bodathro) 67 Church Street, Aberffaw. Also present is a 15 year old servant Mary E. Jones.

In 1911, Evan and Margaret, with their 8 year old daughter, Elizabeth Catherine, give their address as Aberffraw Council School (Bodathro), Anglesey. His parents advise that they have been married for 26 years and have had 6 children of whom 4 had survived. 

Hugh, however, is shown as one of 3 men boarding with Mrs Margaret Jones, a 65 year old widow, described as a lodging house keeper, at 178 Alderson Road, Liverpool. Hugh is now 22 years of age and is shown as a sculptor. This Margaret Jones is the Aunt who received his pension.

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15537. His place of birth is shown as Bala, Merioneth.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

He served in France from 07^th November 1915, thus earning his three medals, until his death from wounds on 05^th February 1916 aged 27.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 22nd February 1916

DIED OF WOUNDS

King's (Liverpool)

17th Battalion (1st City). - Parry, 15537, H.

Hugh now rests at  Corbie Cemetery, Grave 1 D 33, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"MARCHOG JESU YN LLWYDDIANUS YN Y WLAD LLE'R HUNA LLWCH EIN BACHGEN"

which translated means

"RIDE IN TRIUMPH HOLY SAVIOUR IN THE LAND WHERE OUR SON'S ASHES LIE".

Corbie was about 20 kilometres behind the front when Commonwealth forces took over the line from Berles-au-Bois southward to the Somme in July 1915. The town immediately became a medical centre, with Nos 5 and 21 Casualty Clearing Stations based at La Neuville (the suburb across the Ancre) until October 1916 and April 1917 respectively. In November 1916 the front moved east, but the German advance in the Spring of 1918 came within 10 kilometres of the town and brought with it field ambulances of the 47th Division and the 12th Australian Field Ambulance. The communal cemetery was used for burials until May 1916, when the plot set aside was filled and the extension opened. The majority of the graves in the extension are of officers and men who died of wounds in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The remainder relate to the fighting of 1918. The communal cemetery contains 249 First World War burials, the extension 918. The extension was designed by Charles Holden.

Grateful thanks are extended to Arwel Owen for the translation from the Welsh language.

SDGW says he was born Bala, enlisted Liverpool and residence Aberffran, Anglesea.

Soldiers Effects to father Evan, Pension to Aunt Margaret Jones, Bagot St, Wavertree

The CWGC record confirms his employment when it states, “in civil life”, Hugh was a sculptor.

He is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 53.

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