PARKER, George
| Service Number: | 2674 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 July 1915, Brisbane, Qld. |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
| Last Unit: | 15th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Strathalbyn, South Australia, 1890 |
| Home Town: | Strathalbyn, Alexandrina, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Accidental, Strathalbyn, South Australia, 10 August 1921 |
| Cemetery: |
Strathalbyn Cemetery, S.A. |
| Memorials: | Strathalbyn Christ Church Honour Board, Strathalbyn Christ Church Sergeant Major Parker Memorial Plaque |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2674, 15th Infantry Battalion, Brisbane, Qld. | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 1915: | Involvement Private, 2674, 15th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Aug 1915: | Embarked Private, 2674, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Kyarra, Brisbane | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement 2674 | |
| 1 Apr 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Warrant Officer | |
| Date unknown: | Wounded 2674, 15th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Daryl Jones
Born at Long Plain near Strathalbyn on 24 April 1890, the son of George W. H. and Elizabeth A. Parker, George enlisted on 10 July 1915 as a Private and saw action in France. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1 July 1916, Temporary Corporal on 19 August 1916 and Sergeant on 5 September 1916. During the battle of Pozieres he was awarded the Military Medal and later received gunshot wounds which necessitated hospitalization in England for two months. He returned to France and was wounded again in February 1917 which again resulted in a time in hospital in England. Once more in France he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major on 4 June 1917. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in November 1917 for bravery and devotion to duty in operations near Zonnebeke in September. On the 25 January 1918 he joined “Dunsterforce” an Allied special mission in the Middle East but contracted typhus in July and was dangerously ill. After his recovery he returned to France and arrived back in Australia in July 1919.
He was not to enjoy a long life back in Strathalbyn. He died accidentally on 10 August 1921 when attempting to negotiate a fence with a loaded shotgun.
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He got his company into the assembly position with great skill, and showed excellent leadership during the advance, capturing a machine gun and putting the crew out of action. His courage and coolness were largely responsible for the excellent work done by his company in the consolidation of the final objective, and in repulsing several enemy counter attacks.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95
Date: 27 June 1918
Military Medal
'Recommended for his splendid conduct from 5th to 10th August during operations north west of POZIERES. He was especially noticed on 9th August carrying water throughout the day to wounded men in exposed positions. He showed real skill and enterprise in handling his party of scouts, and his information was always most valuable.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62
Date: 19 April 1917
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