Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Anthony, the son of Thomas and Mary Jane (nee Linton) was born at Barnard Castle in 1885. He was subsequently baptised on 5th July 1885.
In 1891 the family were living with his maternal grandmother, Rachel Linton, at Market Place, Barnard Castle. Rachel had a business as a general dealer/toy shop. His father, Thomas, was a butcher’s assistant. Also living at Market Place was his mother, Mary Jane and his siblings Jane, Linton and James.
By 1901 both Thomas and wife, Mary Jane had their own businesses. Thomas was a butcher slaughterman while his wife dealt in fancy goods. Unfortunately Thomas died in 1908.
1911 found the remaining family now living at 15 Howarth Street, South Millfield, Sunderland. Older sister, Jane kept house for her two brothers who now were both working as assistant schoolmasters.
After leaving North East Counties School, Anthony attended a teacher’s training course at Bede College, Durham 1905-7 and then took up a position at Southwick Central School, Sunderland as a schoolteacher.
Later he served for a while with the Volunteer Durham Light Infantry but his term of engagement ceased. He attested at Newcastle on 18th February 1915 and was first assigned to the Royal Army Medical Corps where he was located at 1st Northern General Hospital. He served at home until 18th June 1915. His total service towards engagement in the Territorial Force was 121 days. He was discharged in consequence of re-enlisting the following day in 19th Royal Fusiliers. Within a short time he was promoted to sergeant and reassigned to the Royal West Kents Regiment. The date of promotion was 19th June 1916 then he was off to Etaples by 19th August 1916.
His attestation papers record Anthony as being 5’6” tall with good vision and physical development was reported to be stout and strong. His character was good and his teeth were in fair condition. His faith was Church of England. Hence he was considered fit for service.
There is a qualification against his name as musketry instructor.
By August 1916 he was in Etaples. Within 4 months in France Anthony was killed in action.
His served was reckoned to be 1 year 112 days.
He left an estate of £108 to his mother.
His brother Sergeant James Alderson Parker was wounded in September 1916.
Anthony Edward Linton Parker is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.04, B135.20, B135.23 and B135.25, at Durham on D47.017, D47.052, D47.126, D47.127 and D47.141, at Southwick in Peter Gibson's Book, at Sunderland on S140.048 part 12 and Teachers Who Fell
