John Edward Parkinson

Sarah Parkinson

Billingham Churchyard

J.E. Parkinson 1919 medal

John Edward Parkinson born May 21st 1874 at Shincliffe, son of Edward and Sarah Parkinson, married at Durham, February 8th 1893 to Sarah Willis born at Houghall Colliery, September 2nd 1873. He was the father of 11 known children, 7 sons and 4 daughters and employed all his life as an engineman at the colliery. John Edward moved his family between Newhouse, Esh and Hamsteels over a period of more than 20 years in search of work.

Whilst working at the colliery he also joined the 4th Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry as Private 558, March 16th 1903 to April 24th 1904, as Corporal, April 25th 1904 to May 3rd 1907 and as Sergeant, May 4th 1907 to March 31st 1908 when he was posted to Ripon Camp to the 1/8th Battalion D.L.I. He also served at Blackhall Park, Rothbury and Scarborough between 1908 and 1912 until the termination of his engagement April 13th 1917 at Claxton on Sea.

He did not serve overseas unlike his son Private 2091 William Willis Parkinsonwho was killed, aged 19 years, on active service April 26th 1915, only 10 days after his arrival on the Belgian salient.

In 1939, retired engineman John Edward Parkinson and his wife Sarah were living at 125, Weardale Crescent, Billingham, with their unmarried, 25-year-old son, Stanley. They died in 1945 and 1949 respectively and were interred at St Cuthbert Burial Ground, Billingham, County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

In St. Cuthbert Burial Ground, Billingham, County Durham, is a family headstone which reads;

In
Remembrance of
John Edward
Parkinson
Died June 2nd 1945
Aged 71 years
Also Sarah
Wife of the Above
Died Sept 12th 1949
Aged 74 years

John Edward Parkinson is remembered at Esh Winning on E67.03