Trafford

Born on the 20th July 1893 at Flixton, the birth being registered during
the September quarter 1893 in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. - ref: 8c/723,
the son of Frederick & Alice Parker (nee Burdett).

1901 Census - Western Road, Flixton.    Son (under the name 'Harold
Parker') aged: 7 - born: Flixton.     Head of household - Frederick Parker
- Married - aged: 58 - occ Timber Merchant & Saw Mill Owner - born:
Bristol.    Also - Alice Parker - Wife - aged: 51 - born: Manchester.  
Plus 1 elder sister, an aunt and 1 domestic servant.

1911 Census - "Homeleigh", Western Road, Flixton.    Son - aged: 17 - occ:
Learning Timber Trade - born: Flixton.   Head of household - Frederick
Parker - Married - aged: 68 - occ Timber Merchant (Employer) - born:
Bristol.    Also - Alice Parker - Wife - aged: 61 - born: Manchester.  
Plus 1 elder sister and an aunt.

WO339/113102 - Enlisted into the 1/7th Battalion, Manchester Rgt at
Manchester on the 26th September 1914.  He was 5 feet 9 3/4 inches in
height and weighed 128 lb.  His chest measurements were 33 - 35 inches.
Promoted Acting Corporal on the 10th November 1914 and again to Acting
Sergeant on the 21st December 1914.  Embarked at Devonport on the 3rd July
1915, bound for the Dardanelles where he arrived on the 24th July 1915.  
He wrote his Will during the voyage, leaving his Estate to his mother or in
the event of her death, to his sister Amy Parker.   
Promoted to Full Sergeant status on the 16th August 1915.  He left
Gallipoli and arrived at Alexandria, Egypt on the 18th January 1916.  Moved
to Mustafa on the 29th January 1916 and to Shallufa, a station on the Suez
Canal on the 7th February 1916.   Whilst at Suez, he was promoted to Colour
Sergeant and appointed Company Quarter master Sergeant on the 1st April
1916.   Transferred to France on the 3rd March 1917 until the 7th May 1917.
  Posted to the 21st Officer Cadet Battalion at Crookham, Hampshire on the
5th July 1917.   He gained a Commission with the 5th Battalion, Worcester
Rgt on the 30th October 1917 and Gazetted on the 29th November 1917.

Letters of Administration granted to his mother on the 27th November 1918
by the Manchester Probate Office.   His Estate was valued at £928. 6s.
6d.

Gallipoli 1/7th Battalion, Manchester Rgt Service from "British Regiments
at Gallipoli, by Ray Westlake.

August 1915.   Relieved the 1/5th Manchesters in the firing line on the
1st.  Relieved by them on the 4th.  Reinforcements sent forward to assist
the 1/5th Battalion in captured trench H11B during the afternoon of the
6th.  Later on 'A' & 'D' Companies took part in an attack on trench H13,
but fell back just after midnight with some 40 casualties.    Attacked on
trenches G12A, G13, G11a, G12D on the 7th, but heavy fire forced them to
fall back to original firing line west of Krithia Nullah on the 10th.  
Relieved in trenches east of Krithia Nullah to the Vineyard on the 15th,
then to rest camp.  Moved forward up Gulley Ravine to the firing line on th
19th.

September 1915.  To Gully Beach on the 2nd.  Began fatigues at "W" Beach. 
Took over trenches at Border Barricade on the 8th.  Enemy mine exploded on
th 15th with many men being buried alive.  The enemy line at this point was
just 10 yards away.  Three men killed and 4 wounded by a British Trench
Mortar falling short.   Relieved by the 1/10th Manchesters on the 18th.  To
Geogheghan's Bluff and Eski Line on the 24th.

October 1915.  To firing line on the 1st.  To Gully Beach on the 15th.  
Forward area on the 29th.

November 1915.   Relieved the 1/8th Manchesters in the firing line at
Fusilier Bluff on the 2nd.  Relieved and to Brigade Reserve on the 7th. 
Relieved 1/8th Manchesters in the firing line on the 10th.   Relieved and
to Gully Beach  on the 12th.  To Brigade Reserve on the 26th.   Relieved
the 1/8th Manchesters in the firing line on the 30th.

December 1915.  Enemy mine exploded at Cawley's Crater on the 4th with some
30 yards of the Battalion's trench being filled with debris.  1 man killed
and 7 wounded.   Later relieved by the 1/8th Manchesters.   Relieved the
1/8th Mancesters in the firing line on the 7th.   To Divisional Reserve at
"Y" Ravine on the 10th.  Moved to the forward area on the 24th and to "Y"
Ravine again on the 28th.  Embarked at "V" Beach for Mudros on the 29th.