Soldier’s Death - Rushden Veteran’s Sudden End at Portland

The death of Pte. Thomas Henry Parker, of Rushden, a member of the Dorset Regiment, occurred suddenly at Portland on Saturday.

On leave at Rushden last week, and looking in good health, Pte. Parker returned to Portland last Friday, and on Saturday morning he was found dead at the foot of a high wall. Enquiries were made and an inquest was arranged.

Sixty-two years of age, Pte. Parker was the eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Parker, of Montague Street, Rushden. He joined the Regular Army at the age of 16 and served for eight years, spending four years in India. During the last war he rejoined the Colours, fought in France, and became a prisoner of war.

Joining the Pioneer Corps about two years ago, he afterwards transferred to the Dorset Regiment. Two sisters and a brother, all residing in Rushden, are bereaved.

A group of Rushden Home Guard, members of B. Coy, 8 Platoon under Lieut. Lovell, acted as bearers at the funeral at Rushden on Thursday. The service, in the Cemetery Chapel, was conducted by the Rev. E. E. Bromage (pastor of the Mission Church).

The principal mourners were Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Whitworth and Mrs. H. Allen (brother-in-law and sisters), Mr. and Mrs. George Parker (brother and sister-in-law), Mrs. S. Parker and Mrs. C. Knight, (sister-in-law and aunt), Mrs. B. Pearson and Mrs. S. Stanton (nieces).

Wreaths were received from:- May, Des and Reg; Em and Harry; George and Clarice; Rose and family; Dorrie and Mary; Commanding Officer and All Ranks, Dorset Regiment.

Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons were the undertakers.

Fatal Fall from Ramparts - “Misadventure” Verdict on Rushden Soldier

Medical evidence resulted in a verdict of “Death from misadventure” at the Dorset inquest on Pte. Thomas Henry Parker (62), of Rushden, who on the morning after his return from leave was found dead near a rampart at his station.

Dr. A. C. Ricks said that Pte. Parker’s injuries, though not immediately fatal in themselves, were consistent with a heavy fall. The lungs showed signs of acute bronchial pneumonic infection, and the muscular tissues of the heart showed acute degeneration. Either of these complaints, especially the high blood pressure, might have caused giddiness.

Shock and heart failure were the probable causes of death. A leg was fractured and there was also a fracture of the vertebrae. Evidence of identification was given by Capt. F. Le Sueur, who said that Pte. Parker, a single man, was a good soldier.

Normal and Cheerful

Several of his comrades gave evidence regarding Parker’s movements on the morning in question, and all agreed that he appeared to be normal and as cheerful as usual when, having carried out his duties, he went for his customary stroll.

P.C. Chapple said that Parker fell a considerable distance.

Returning his verdict, the Coroner said the medical evidence showed that Parker was ill. There was no reason to suppose that he took his own life.

In a letter to the relatives the Colonel of the battalion states that Pte. Parker had been employed for some time in the officers’ mess and seemed to be in good health and spirits and contented with his job. He was always about in the early morning and often took a stroll on the ramparts. No one witnessed the accident.