Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
Robert 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, at 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 at 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 he 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 1911. Born in 1888, she died aged 22 years either giving birth to their son either during childbirth of post partum complications during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1910, leaving him with two very young children to care for. Sarah their daughter 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.
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 and 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. Robert enlisted, January 8th 1915 and was one of the first to be posted to the newly raised 27th (4th Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 27/572.
Private Parkin joined the 85th Training Reserve Battalion then departed with his regiment to France in January 1916 as part of the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. Upon their arrival the division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St. Omer where their training intensified in preparation for the forthcoming Battles of the Somme. Programmed to begin June 29th 1916 the opening battle at Albert was postponed by bad weather until July 1st 1916.
After 2 huge detonations in the explosive packed tunnels under the German lines at 7.30 aim, the whistles blew and the men went over the top. The 27th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was in action at the Battle of Albert, July 1st-13th, including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, Bazentin Ridge, July 14th-17th, Pozieres Ridge, July 23rd-September 3rd and Flers-Courcelette, September 15th-22nd.
During his service Private Parkin was promoted to Lance Corporal. In 1917 his regiment participated during the Arras Offensive, April 9th-May 16th 1917, at the 1st and 2nd Battles of the Scarpe and at Arleux. During January and February 1918 the battalion losses were so great that the 27th Battalion was disbanded in France.
Lance Corporal Parkin although still of service age (32 and a half years) was discharged from the Army, May 10th 1918 under King’s Regulations 392 (xvi), “no longer physically fit for war service,” as he was suffering from myalgia, a painful condition that can effect the entire body and organs, He was posted to Class W Army Reserve, under the obligation to return to the Colours if requested.
Soldiers in Class W did not receive any army pay but Robert was entitled to a disability pension sent to him at Swan Street, Easington Colliery, County Durham. He was assigned Silver Badge No.393946, a small pin to display on the lapel of his civilian clothes. The badge was brought into being in 1916 for soldiers who had obtained early discharge but had no visible ailment or impediment, as in the past these ex-servicemen had been subjected to ridicule and the presentation of a white feather, a symbol of cowardice, primarily by irate mothers, sweethearts and widows, who considered them to be shirkers.
After the Armistice of November 11th 1918 and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, June 28th 1919 which brought WW1 finally to a close, Class W was abolished.
Awards; British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His younger brothers Private Roger Parkin and Gunner Simpson Turnbull Parkin both died of wounds in 1916 and 1918 respectively, his mother Hannah Parkin nee Park, resident of Front Street, Witton Gilbert, died April 29th 1933, his father Simpson Turnbull Parkin in 1938 registered at Durham Central including Witton Gilbert.
Robert’s daughter Sarah married John McCarthy in 1937 using her true surname of Parkin. They settled in Dewsbury, Yorkshire West Riding, where John was born, February 2nd 1905 and died January 24th 1969, his death preceded by that of his wife Ethel McCarthy nee Parkin, November 16th 1986.
John Thomas Parkin married Isabella Todd at Chester le Street in 1935. In 1939 they were living at 56, Front Street, Witton Gilbert, County Durham as John Thomas was employed as a colliery hewer. His wife who was born December 6th 1912 at Chester le Street. had given birth to two children, Simpson Turnbull Parkin, September 17th 1936 (died 1996) and Donald, August 24th 1937, (possibly living).
John Thomas Parkin died, January 15th 1970 registered at Durham Central including Witton Gilbert, the name of Isabella Parkin nee Todd appeared in the electoral roll 2003-2009 at the address of 5, Green Lane, Witton Gilbert, County Durham, in 2009 she was 97 years of age.
It has not been possible to establish with any accuracy if Robert Parkin remarried or the date and place of his demise.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
