William Parsons born 1885 died ww1

[mumbles]

I wonder if Beardie can resolve this dispute as to whether William Parsons born 1885 who married a Sarah Bissell died in ww1
http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/tr ... onnections
My puzzle with William Parsons (b.1885) concerns his death in the 1914-18 war.

(A).
William enlisted in Birmingham. He died of wounds in the France and Flanders theatre of war on 25th April 1917. Noted in "Soldiers who died in the Great War". From "Index to War Deaths 1914-1921, Army (Other Ranks)" Vol. I.49, Pg. 266. Address: Lewisham Road, Smethwick - Next of kin Mrs H F Parsons and children.

(B.)
From Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Name: PARSONS
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: South Staffordshire Regiment
Unit Text: 9th Bn.
Date of Death: 25/04/1917
Service No: 19866
Additional information: Husband of H. F. Parsons, of 2/147, Hingeston St., Hockley, Birmingham.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Ref: XII. A. 17A.
Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY

This seems to be the correct chap, but I'm mystified about the reference to Mrs H.F. Parsons. Can you shed any light on this? Is there a William Parsons who married someone with initials H.F.? So far I have drawn a blank. Lewisham Road, Smethwick looks right as it is just round the corner from Brasshouse Lane/Great Arthur Street/Halfords Lane, where other members of the family lived. I would be very grateful for some help with this!!

[apowell]

Hi Mumbles,

I have some doubt if this is the same fellow because I found this on the 1911 census:

PARSONS, William Head Married M 24 1887 Cycle Polisher Birmingham Warkershire
PARSONS, Harriet F Wife Married 2 years F 23 1888 Birmingham Warkeshire
PARSONS, Herbert W Son M 1 1910 Birmingham Warkeshire
PARSONS, William Father Married M 62 1849 Labourer Birmingham Warkeshire
PARSONS, Herbert Brother Single M 17 1894 Cycle Polisher Birmingham Warkeshire

The wifes name is Harriet F and William's date and place of birth seem to fit well.

I'm confused about the Lewisham Road, Smethwick connection but maybe the above family had moved there from Birmingham?

What do you think?

Regards
Adrian

[beardie]

this man was born and enlisted birmingham, but its a long way to move by the early 20s for his family

there is no mention of william parsons in the smethwick roll of honour

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_det ... lty=273300

[MarkCDodd]

He was born the 2nd Quarter 1885. Most likely death for him is 4th Qtr 1918, Kings Norton, 6d 87.

[mumbles]

Thanks everyone I think that solves mystery.
Regards

[beardie]

hi mumbles,
forgot to say

i have a newspaper clipping on the death of 35673 pte christopher matthew parsons of 8th east surrey's , killed 1/9/18.
he lived montagne street, smethwick with wife and one child. if you want a copy let me know!

beardie

[MAPatrick]

William Parsons (b.1885) - descended from Tidal Litley alias PARSONS

This is my first posting to this forum. Thanks to everyone for the clarification and assistance on this topic. I made an error about 15 years ago and as a result a lot of Black Country PARSONS' databases hold incorrect information.

I am looking for the death of William Parsons, born 1885 in Brasshouse Lane son of Jethro William Parsons (b.1842) and Emily (Emma) Cox (b.1847). He did NOT die on 25 Apr 1917 in Flanders and was NOT buried at Lijsenthoek, Belgium. I have visited this grave (of a William Parsons) and CWGC refers to his widow as Mrs H.F.Parsons of 2/147 Hingeston St, Hockley, Birmingham.

<apowell> (Adrian) on 22 Apr has very helpfully identified this (via 1911 census) as William Parsons born 1886, who turns out to be the son of William Alfred Parsons (b.1852) and Lucretia Amelia Lilley (b.1857). William married Harriet Florence Green (Dec qtr. 1908, Birmingham 6d/77). This Parsons family was firmly based in Birmingham and it appears originally hailed from Gloucester.

Although he is my great-uncle, the ultimate fate of William Parsons born 1885 in Smethwick is still unknown to me. Family legend suggests that he was a soldier during 1914-18 and probably died in (or as a result of) the conflict. However, as we have seen, he married Sarah Bissell (b.1884 in Halesowen) at St Mary's, Smethwick on 1 May 1909. They had four children; William George Parsons (b.1910), Frederick Stanley Parsons (b.1913), and twins Arthur James Parsons and Linda Parsons (b.1916). Frederick Stanley Parsons married Hilda Sarah Whitehouse on 12 Oct 1940 and they had one son called Stanley W Parsons (b.1941). Certificates between 1916 and 1940 refer to the family's address as 108 Lewisham Road, Smethwick. [see post by <mumbles> Wed Apr 21]

I will certainly follow up the suggestion of <MarkCDodd> as to the possible death of William as 4th Qtr 1918, Kings Norton, 6d 87. However I would dearly like to have contact with any remaining members of his family and would appreciate any possible assistance in finding them.

There remains the confusion over the entry for William Parson's death in "Soldiers who died in the Great War". From "Index to War Deaths 1914-1921, Army (Other Ranks)" Vol. I.49, Pg. 266. Address: Lewisham Road, Smethwick. Does anyone have access to this publication? (I believe there is a version on CD). Is this where I made the original mistake or was there a mix-up in processing the records?

[beardie]

hi mapatrick,
there was a general election in 1918 and each area had 'absent voter lists' of men serving with armed forces abroard . you could try contacting history centre at smethwick library and seeing if they have absent voter list for smethwick in world war one and see if you can find your relative!

beardie