In Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 20/365 Private Roger Parkin serving with the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 22/07/1916. 

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Roger Parkin was one of 10 children all of whom survived to adulthood. 

His father Simpson Turnbull Parkin was born in 1860 in the mining village of Cassop, his mother Hannah Parks, December12th 1860 at Gilesgate, Durham City both in County Durham. Hannah was the daughter of shoe maker John Park and Isabella Dixon.

Hannah had a child out of wedlock, Ralph Crozier C. Park who was born January 12th 1879 in Durham City. In 1881 Hannah, who was employed as a book folder and her son were living with her widowed father and brother James, a baker, at 192, Gilesgate, Durham City. Hannah and Simpson Turnbull Parkin were married at St. Giles Church, Durham, August 26th 1882.

Their daughter Isabella was born in Bearpark, May 3rd 1884, Robert at Durham in 1886, baptised at St. Oswald’s Durham, August 4th, John Thomas at Croxdale, January 31st 1889, twins Mary Ann and Margaret at Bearpark in 1891, baptised December 16th whilst they were living at 1, Bouch Street. Employed as a coal miner Simpson not only supported his wife and children, but also Ralph who had taken the surname of Parkin. His father in law John Park was also living with them, listed as a stone maker, neither an employer nor employed.

By 1901 Simpson Snr had been joined at the colliery by Ralph (22), both were employed as hewers, Robert (14) also worked below ground as a pony driver. His wife had given birth to a further 4 children, Simpson Turnbull Jnr in 1894, baptised March 14th, Roger 1896, baptised December 27th, Ada 1899 and Hannah, October 19th 1900 at Bearpark.

Robert Parkin married Ethel McBride in 1907. Born in 1888 she died aged 22 years either giving birth to their son or of post partum complications during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1910, leaving him with two very young children to care for. Sarah Parkin born at Witton Gilbert, February 3rd 1908, after her mother’s demise was adopted by coal hewer Thomas `Dawson and his wife Emily. In 1911 they were living in 2 rooms at 181, Staffordshire Street, Sacriston, County Durham. When Ethel was married in 1937 to John McCarthy she used the surname Parkin.

Robert Parkin in 1911 had returned to live with his parents and siblings together with his son, John Turnbull Parkin born in Witton Gilbert, April 14th 1910. The Parkin family consisting of Simpson Turnbull Snr, his wife. 7 of their children and their grandson, occupied 3 rooms at 1, Bouch Street, Bearpark. All the male members of the family were employed at the colliery. Simpson Snr and Robert (24) were hewers, John Thomas (22) as a labourer, Simpson Jnr was a putter and Roger (14) a pony driver, the twins (19) Hannah (10) and John Thomas (11 months) remained at home. Isabella had married Thomas Seymour in 1905 with whom she had a daughter. On the eve of the 1911 census Ada Parkin (12) is included in their declaration.

When Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany, August 4th 1914, men from all walks of life volunteered to serve their Country in answer to Kitchener’s call to arms and the order that all regiments raise new battalions. Roger Parkin was living with his family at 8, North Street East, Easington Colliery where he was employed as a miner. Aged 19 years and 6 months he enlisted at West Hartlepool, September 27th 1915 and was assigned to the 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry as Private 365.

The 20th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was formed at Sunderland, July 10th 1915, then moved to Wensley in August where Private Parkin joined them, September 28th 1915. Soon after his arrival the battalion moved to Barnard Castle and January 1916 they were taken over by the War Office in Aldershot and came under the orders of the 123rd Brigade, 41st Division.

May 4th 1916 Private Parkin was posted to the British Expeditionary Force and left Southampton disembarking with his regiment at Le Havre, May 5th. The division concentrated near Hazebrouck and Bailleul. During the spring of 1916 preparations were already underway for the commencement of the Battles of the Somme, programmed to begin June 29th they were postponed by bad weather until July 1st 1916.

After 2 huge detonations in the explosive packed tunnels under the German lines at 7.30 a.m. on the morning of July 1st 1916 the whistles blew and the men went over the top. The 41st Division did not take part in any major battles but encountered the enemy during day to day trench warfare. Private Parkin was seriously wounded, July 22nd, a bayonet wound to the stomach and evacuated back through the lines by the 140th Field Ambulance then admitted to the 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul.

Bailleul was occupied as of October 11th 1914 and became an important hospital centre, “home,” to the 2nd. 3rd, 8th, 11th, 53rd, 1st Canadian and 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Stations, part of the evacuation chain several miles behind the front line where troops could receive immediate attention and be then moved to the base hospital and if necessary repatriated aboard a hospital ship to the United Kingdom. Tragically this was not to be the case for Private 20/365 Roger Parkin Durham Light Infantry, as he succumbed to his wound, July 26th 1916, and was laid to rest within Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension grave II. F. 50. He was 20 years of age and single.

His mother Hannah Parkin as sole legatee received all monies due to her late son from the Army, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, also a pension sent to her at Front Street, Witton Gilbert, County Durham, this was increased and allocated to Simpson Turnbull Parkin when sadly their son Simpson Turnbull Parkin Jnr serving as a Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery was killed, September 9th 1918. Their other son Robert Parkin served with the Northumberland Fusiliers.

Hannah Parkin nee Park, resident of Front Street, Witton Gilbert, died April 29th 1933, her son Ralph Park, December 8th 1935, resident at 9, John Street, Easington Colliery. Widower Simpson Turnbull Parkin died in 1938 registered at Durham Central including Witton Gilbert.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Roger Parkin is remembered at Witton Gilbert on W123.01, W123.02 and W123.06, in the  D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 190 and in the Battalion History page 57.