HARRY JAMES PARKER

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Born: 23rd March 1877, St. Clement’s, Ipswich.

Died: 8th May 1916; age 39; Died from Disease.

Residence: 18, Bond Street, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Chatham, Kent; occupation: a Shoemaker’s Labourer. On the 23^rd March 1895 Harry signed up for 12 years. Height: 5ft 1 1/2ins, tawny dark complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. Height on the 20^th July 1906 – 5ft 4 ins. He was tattooed with his initials H.P. and a flag on his left forearm.

Service:

Impregnable – Boy 2^nd Class – 14^th October 1892 – 21^st October 1892

Ganges – Boy 2^nd Class – 22^nd October 1892

Ganges – Boy 1^st Class – 26^th October 1893 – 19^th March 1894

Boscawen – Boy 1^st Class – Boy 1^st Class – 20^th March 1894 – 21^st May 1894

Pembroke – Boy 1^st Class – 22^nd May 1894 – 4^th October 1894

Repulse – Boy 1^st Class – 5^th October 1894

Repulse – Ordinary Seaman – 23^rd March 1895 – 23^rd October 1895

Pembroke I – Ordinary Seaman – 24^th October 1895 – 13^th January 1896

Theseus – Ordinary Seaman – 14^th January 1896

Theseus – Able Seaman – 1^st November 1896 – 25^th April 1897

Victory I – Able Seaman – 26^th April 1897 – 27^th May 1897

Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 28^th May 1897 – 19^th October 1897

Wildfire – Able Seaman – 20^th October 1897 – 28^th May 1898

Vernon – Able Seaman – 29^th May 1898 – 27^th August 1898

Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 28^th March 1898 – 27^th March 1899

Warspite – Able Seaman – 28^th March 1899 – 1^st July 1902

Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 2^nd July 1902 – 29^th August 1902

Vernon – Able Seaman – 30^th August 1902 – 25^th April 1903

Pembroke – Able Seaman – 26^th April 1903 – 16^th February 1904

Pyramus – Able Seaman – 17^th February 1904 – 15^th November 1904

Queen – Able Seaman – 16^th November 1904 – 7^th May 1904

Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 8^th May 1906 – 3^rd August 1906

Vernon – Able Seaman – 4^th August 1906 – 27^th October 1906

Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 28^th October 1906 – 15^th January 1907

Pembroke II – Able Seaman – 16^th January 1907 – 28^th February 1907

Sapphire – Able Seaman – 1^st March 1907 – 14^th August 1907

Blake – Able Seaman – 15^th August 1907 – 2^nd June 1909

Tyne – Able Seaman – 3^rd June 1909 – 25^th August 1909

Pembroke – Able Seaman – 26^th August 1909 – 2^nd September 1909

Blenheim – Able Seaman – 3^rd September 1909 – 29^th October 1911

Pembroke I – Able Seaman – 30^th October 1911 – 17^th November 1911

Vernon – Able Seaman – 18^th November 1911 – 9^th February 1912

Pembroke I – 10^th February 1912 – 23^rd February 1912.

Rank: Able Seaman; Service Number: 169638 (Ch)

Regiment: Royal Navy. H.M.S. Pembroke.

Grave Reference:

Naval.24.1259.

Woodlands Cemetery,

Gillingham,

Kent.

Relatives Notified & Address: Sarah Parker, of 18, Bond Street, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1881   3, Coopers Court, Ipswich.

Harry was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Jeremiah Parker, 43, a General Labourer, born Bramford, Suffolk.

Sarah Parker, 34, a Stay Maker, born Tuddenham St. Martin, Suffolk.

Sarah Seager P. Parker, 13, a Stay Maker, born Colchester, Essex – died 1887, Ipswich.

Jeremiah Bacon Parker, 12, born Ipswich – died 1901, Ipswich.

William Parker, 10, born Ipswich.

Philip Parker, 8, born Ipswich.

Alice Louisa Parker, 7, born Ipswich.

Walter Parker, 3, born Ipswich.

Ernest Parker, 5 months, born Ipswich.

1891   11, Hamilton Street, Ipswich.

Harry was 15 years old, an Errand Boy. He was living with his parents & brothers.

Jeremiah, 53, a Labourer.

Sarah, a Stay Maker.

Philip, 18, a Porter.

Walter, 13, an Errand Boy.

Ernest, 11.

Arthur Parker, 8, born Ipswich.

1901   Pacific.

Harry was 24 years old, and an Able Seaman for the Royal Navy. On board ‘Warspite’. a 2nd Class ship; Armoured Crusier 1st Class. Captain – C.R. Keppel C.B., D.S.O.

Harry’s father, Jeremiah Parker died in February 1913, St. Clement’s, Ipswich.

Harry is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Michael’s Church, Ipswich.

H.M.S. PEMBROKE was the Naval Barracks at Chatham, Kent next to the Chatham Dockyard. Thousands of naval ratings would have passed through or served there over the years.