Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

ROBERT AMBROSE LONG PARKE BIOGRAPHY

Robert Parke (Robert Ambrose Long Parke) was a soldier in the Royal Australian Navy in First World War. He was born in July, 1896 in the town of Redfern.  Redfern is an inner-city suburb of Sydney located 3 kilometres south of the main city (CBD) and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney. He lived at 14 Hopetoun Street in the suburb of Petersham for majority of his life. Parke lived with his mother, Mary Anne Parke. His father, Andrew Godfrey Parke’s address was unknown.

Like many others in Australia, Parke was religiously devoted to the Church of England as were past members of his family tree. Before leaving for war, Robert was an acquired storeman. Robert was 5 foot 3 (160.78 cm) and had fair hair, grey/blue eyes and a pale complexion.  Weighing only 7 stone (45 kg) Robert was very lean by today’s standards.  He had excellent vision which came in useful when gas bombs were dropped on the Western Front. He was still able to see fairly well through the fog and be aware of what was going on around him whilst wearing a gas mask.

His records show that he served in the 26th Militia Regiment of the Australian Army for 2½ years. On the 26th of August 1915, at the age of 20 years and 7 months, he was enlisted for war overseas.  Parke’s unit name was listed as 1st Battalion, 14th Reinforcement, with his older brother, George Percy Samuel Parke, who also fought in the war.  Robert was single and had no relationships during or before the war.

Parke embarked from Sydney on the 15th of January 1916. The ship he voyaged on was called, the RMS Osterley. It embarked from Australia to the United Kingdom. It was a quadruple expansion steam engine passenger vessel, constructed by the London Glasgow shipbuilding Co. in 1909. The ship made 59 return voyages and was broken up in 1930. During the Great War (WWI), the Osterley was used as a troopship by the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to transport soldiers and goods, such as weapons and food.

Parke’s role/ rank was Bombardier. A Bombardier is a military rank that has existed since the early 16th century in various armies, such as the Royal British Army and the Royal Prussian Army. It is similar to the rank of a corporal. He served as a Private in his early year of war service, but was promoted to Bombardier in France on the 3rd of March 1916.

Parke survived the war and departed from Europe on board the Osterley and returned to Australia on the 1st of May 1919. On the 22nd of February 1917, Robert was sent to hospital due to sickness. He participated in crime for overstaying leave from midnight 16/2/1918 until 4p.m. 17/2/1918. He died sometime after he returned from war (date unknown).

The Australian soldiers experienced great deals of hardship whilst fighting on the Western Front. They were taught all about trench warfare. It was one of the harshest ways of fighting. Many died in battle, although there were sicknesses and diseases that killed a large number of the soldiers as well.

Robert Ambrose Long Park showed true ANZAC spirit. He was willing to enlist himself at such a young age, to fight for his country and do Australia proud. It took a lot of courage for a young man to serve in the First World War. No one knew what to expect. There was bravery shown by all the soldiers who fought, as well as great commitment. Parke was willing to give up his life and his family. He gave it his last full measure of devotion, he pushed through and strived till the end. To have the ANZAC spirit means to possess these qualities of endurance, courage, dedication, ingenuity and mateship. Robert Ambrose Long Parke as shown all of these qualities through his service throughout World War 1, and we will remember him and his devotion to his country forever. - Grace Franco 2016