PARKER, Claude Tasman
| Service Number: | 6802 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 April 1916, Claremont, Tas. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, 15 March 1883 |
| Home Town: | Launceston, Launceston, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Grammar School, Launceston, Tasmania |
| Occupation: | Motor driver |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Bullecourt, France, 5 May 1917, aged 34 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hobart Roll of Honour, Launceston Cenotaph, Launceston Church Grammar School WW1 Honour Board, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 28 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6802, 12th Infantry Battalion, Claremont, Tas. | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 6802, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Palermo embarkation_ship_number: A56 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Sep 1916: | Embarked Private, 6802, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Palermo, Melbourne | |
| 5 May 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 6802, 12th Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (Second), Killed in action at Bullecourt. TOS 1 May 1917. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Robert Wight
Mrs. Claude Parker 97 Murray Street Hobart is in receipt of a letter from Lieutenant A. L. Wardlaw from which the following extract is taken in reference to the death of her late husband, Private Claude Tasman Parker :
"I did not know Claude had joined the battalion until I noticed him fighting away by my side. It was in the Bullecourt stunt, and the 11th and 12th were holding part of the Hindenburg line, with the Huns on three sides of us. Our "bombers" had bombed down a German sap and I occupied it with a few men and sent to the O.C. for reinforcements. Claude "was one of these. We hung on to the new position for about half an hour when we were shelled out with "whiz-bangs" and had to withdraw to the old position about 50 yards up the trench. Claude and Charlie Eastman who were alongside me were wounded but were able to walk back. On the way back Claude was again wounded, this time rather severely, in the arm and leg. I stayed with him and held him while the stretcher-bearers dressed his wounds. Claude recognised me and gave me these messages. . . . Lieutenant Wardlaw then goes on to say:-Although badly wounded, I was sure he would have pulled through but about half an hour afterwards one of the stretcher bearers came back and said that a German shell had killed both Claude and his mate. The Huns had killed dozens of our stretcher-bearers whilst carrying wounded. Claude could have shot two German stretcher-bearers just before he was wounded, but spared them. I know you will find comfort in the knowledge that your husband died a hero's death. He was splendid. His noble example will never be forgotten. I am proud to have known him, and pray that God will comfort his sorrowing wife and mother."
The Mercury 18th September 1917
Source: tasmanianwarcasualties.com
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