Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917

Francis Wilson Parkin was born at Wigton, Cumberland in 1881, the youngest of 8 children, 3 sons and 5 daughters, his parents Joseph Parkin and Sarah Cottier were born at Bolton, Cumberland in 1834 and 1841 respectively and married at Wigton in 1858. Newly married they settled in the village of Flimby where Joseph was employed as a coal miner, living with them was Sarah’s brother John, an engine man. Ten years later along with their 4 children they were living at Standingstone, Great Broughton before moving to the Wigton area.

Joseph Parkin died in the district of Wigton, aged 52 years in 1886, his widow Sarah remarried in 1888 to Robert Dixon, ten years her junior and newly widowed with a new born daughter Sarah and 2 sons 10 and 7 years of age. Robert was also a miner, he and Sarah along with their younger children lived at 5, West Street, Wigton, her son William Parkin, a tailor for his own account, lived in 2 rooms at number 7.

Francis Wilson Parkin migrated from Cumberland to the north east alone, where he met and married at Gateshead in 1908, Mary Isabella Robson, born in 1878 at Wylam, Northumberland, who was brought to Heworth at the age of 3 by her parents, Robert and Hannah Robson. In 1911 they were living with Mary’s widowed father in 6 rooms at Hill Crest, Elsdon Street, Felling, County Durham. Robert Robson was employed by the Heworth Coal Company as a coal miner timber drawer, his daughter Sarah (30) was an elementary school teacher working for Gateshead Education Committee, Francis William Parkin, listed in error as surname Robson was a tailor for his own account working from home, his wife with the assistance of servant Mary Jane Randall ran the household. Sarah gave birth to a son William Parkin in 1913.

On the outbreak of war Francis enlisted as Frank Wilson Parkin, assigned firstly to the Royal Engineers as Sapper 359971. He did not depart for the front until after January 1916, either prior to his departure or in the field he was transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner Signaller 113400 attached to the 84th Siege Battery which had departed as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, December 31st 1915, he joined them on the Macedonian Front also known as the Salonika Front, Greece.

During summer 1916 the Salonika Force dug in and was reinforced by Serbian, Russian and Italian units in order to face the Bulgarian attempt to invade Greece, the united forces were successful with the capture of the Rupell Pass and advances by the Allied Armies. During 1917 the main fighting took place around Lake Doiran. In April the British attacked and gained ground resisting strong counter-attacks, repeated also in May which triggered the Battle of Vardar. During December 1917 Gunner Signaller Parkin was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in battle on land.

After serving until the Armistice, which in the Balkans was declared September 30th 1918, he was discharged and returned to his home at Elsdon Street. Awards; British War Medal, Victory Medal and Military Medal.

He and his wife went on to have a further 5 children. Mary Isabella Parkin nee Robson died October 30th 1949 aged 71 years, Frank Wilson Parkin died aged 74 years in 1956, both registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Heslop’s Local Advertiser 12/1917 carries a notice which reads:

“Signaller F.W. Parkin, of Elsdon Street, Felling, attached to the R.G.A. Headquarters Staff, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry on the field.”