James Patrick Parkinson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 28/03/2017 - 13:40

First Name:

James

Middle Name:

Patrick

Last Name:

Parkinson

Date of Birth:

Monday, March 14, 1881

Mother's Name:

Margaret Parkinson nee Ryan

Father's Name:

James Parkinson

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, October 24, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

Anzac Cyclist Battalion

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, April 7, 1943

Place of Death:

Lewisham Hospital, NSW

Details:

James Parkinson (Service No 878) was born in Bombala, NSW and moved to Wollongong, NSW with his family as a young child.

At enlistment, James was single, 35 years old, and worked as a salesman at Marcus Clarke's store. James had been a member of the Wollongong Rifle Club for 18 months.

Both James & his brother Vincent, embarked from Melbourne on HMAT A9 Shropshire with Anzac Cyclist Battalion Reinforcement on 11th May 1917.

Vincent arrived in England on 19th July 1917 and joined 11th Field Engineers in France on 9th December 1917. He saw service on the Western Front with the Engineers until transferred to 43rd Battalion on 26th September 1918.

Vincent was returned to Australia in June 1919 and discharged on 23rd October 1919.

On 25th September 1920 he married Kathleen Doherty at Paddington in Sydney. The couple returned to Wollongong and raised 2 children. Vincent was a member of the Wollongong RSL and returned to his job with Marcus Clarke's.

He was admitted to Lewisham Hospital for an operation and died from complications in 1943.

James' brothers, Francis (Frank) and Vincent, also served and returned home.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, PARKINSON JAMES PATRICK