Organist’s Return from Germany—Pte. Sid Parker, Northants Regiment, son of Mr. George Parker, Montague-street, Rushden, who was taken prisoner last March, has arrived home safely. He was in hospital a good part of the time he was in enemy hands. He has brought home some very interesting souvenirs from Germany, including ornamental specimens of huge tobacco pipes, coins, etc. He is organist at the Wellingborough-road Mission Hall.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 2^nd July 1937, transcribed by Kay Collins

Mr H Parker

Twenty-five years almost unbroken service to the Rushden Mission Church was the record of Mr. Herbert Sydney Parker, of 85 Spencer-road, Rushden, who had been organist at the church since the organ was installed, and, who died last Sunday, after a long illness. He was only 45 years of age.

A self-taught organist, Mr. Parker only received a year’s tutoring in pianoforte playing when a boy, under the late Mr. G. Farey, and, as a very young man, acted as assistant organist to Mr. Walter Sargent, at the Congregational church. Afterwards he was pianist to the Rushden Adult School Male Voice Choir for about nine years, and took up an appointment with the Wellingborough-road Mission when Mr. and Mrs. John Clarke presented the church with an organ in 1912. His greatest interest was music, and he loved his organ.

Mr. Parker was also a member of the Rushden Branch of the British Legion, having served with the Northants Regiment in the fifth army, being taken prisoner in March 1918. In Germany until the end of the war, he returned to take up his old appointment.

A native of Rushden, Mr. Parker was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. G. Parker, of Montague-street, and he leaves a widow, and four children, Kathleen, Donald, Derek, and Avis. Representatives of the Mission Church and the British Legion were present at the funeral at Rushden on Wednesday, when the Rev. E. E. Bromage conducted a service at the house. [a list of mourners and the wreaths follows]