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Parry, John

Biographical Details Known : – John was born in 1895 in Connah’s Quay, the only son of John and  Ellen J. Parry. On the 1901 census they were living at 8, Upper Brook Street, Connahs Quay, Flintshire. Father, John 46, was a River Flat Man. Ellen J, his wife was 44 Their children were John  6,  Edith M. 5 and Elizabeth E.  1. All the family had been born in Connah’s Quay.

The 1911 census saw the family living at 128 Church Street, Connah’s Quay.  John 56 and Ellen J 54 had been married for 18 years. Three children had been born and they were still living.  John senior was now working at the River Dee Conservancy Board. John junior was 16 and working at Summer’s Iron Works.  Edith M. was 15 and Elizabeth was 11.

John was mentioned in the book “Soldiers Died in the Great War.  Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Volume 28”  It confirmed the regimental details above and added that he had enlisted in Shotton. It said he was Killed in action France & Flanders on the 25th September 1915.

John’s medal card  accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk  records his medal details and also tells us that his first theatre of war was France and that he entered it on 19th July 1915.    Just over 2 months later John was killed.

John Parry in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the sole Legatee was his father John who was paid £2. 3s 4d on the 28th December 1915 and his War Gratuity of £3. 10s 0d on the 20th August 1919.

There is an index card for John in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in  Hawarden.  (Card F49).  The address given is 128, Church Street, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire. The regimental details above are confirmed and it adds that he served from the 3rd September 1914. He was Killed in Action at Loos on the 25th September 1915 . The card was signed  on the 18th September 1919 by W.M. Fitzpatrick

John is commemorated on a family grave at Connah’s Quay Cemetery.

To the Memory of John Parry 13309  9th Batt. R.W.F.

only son of John & Ellen Parry

Killed in action Sept 25th 1915 aged 20.

Also the above John Parry died May 26th 1925 age 70.

Also Ellen Jane Parry died June 3rd 1925 aged 68.

“Sweet is the calm of the blest”.

(Connah’s Quay Cemetery Monumental Inscriptions – Page 37  JR5 – 22)

COUNTY HERALD 15th October 1915

 

Connah’s Quay & Shotton.

Private John Parry Killed – Official news has been received that Private John Parry, 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers has been killed in France.   Our deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved parents, who reside at 128, Church Street, Connah’s Quay, in the loss of their only son, who was respected by all who knew him.   Before the outbreak of war, he was employed in the Packing Shop Department of Messrs J. Summers & Sons, Ironworks.   He was for a number of years a member of the Connah’s Quay & District Silver Prize Band, and a great favourite both with the members of the Band and public.   As a cornet player he was highly commended by several well known professional conductors, who could see a successful future for him in the brass band world, he being only 20 years of age and a total abstainer.   His love for home is expressed in the following words when writing to his parents. 

“Well, mother, cheer up, don’t get down-hearted its no use is it?   I will pull through all right with God’s help.   It’s very nice to know that you are always thinking of me, and I can tell you that I never can get any sleep without I am thinking about you and all at home.”. 

The following is a letter of tribute from his Captain  4th October 1915.    B.E.F.

– Dear Mrs. Parry, – It is with the deepest regret that I write to tell you of the death of your son, Private John Parry, of my Company…. He was killed in action on the 25th September, by a shell bursting close to where he was standing, and death, I think was instantaneous.   I would have written before, but I have been so fearfully busy that I have not had a second.   Your son was an excellent soldier and a special favourite of mine, and he is a great loss to the Company.   My deepest sympathy goes out to you and all his friends.”

Flintshire Observer  21st October 1915 

Connah’s Quay Hero – Private John Parry, 9th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, who has been killed in action in France, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Parry, 128, Church Street, Connah’s Quay.    Private Parry, who was 20 years of age, was a promising musician.   He was a member of the Connah’s Quay & District Silver Prize Brass Band.

John Parry lost his life on the same day as  James Perry and John Millington who have their own pages on this website.

 

John Parry was also named on a number of other memorials –

The Memorial Plaque in St.Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay.

John was a member of the Connah’s Quay Silver Prize Band and is named on their Roll of Honour.

The Oddfellows Memorial Tablet – Wepre Lodge.  -In the Mold, Deeside & Buckley Leader dated 3rd October 1924, included  a list of the members who were honoured – J. Parry’s name was among them.  The previous Saturday , the Tablet had been unveiled by the Vicar of Shotton, J.J.J. Robinson.

 

John Parry lost his life on the same day as  James Perry and John Millington who have their own pages on this website.

http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/loos.htm


Learn more about the other soldiers on the Connahs Quay and Shotton War Memorial

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