Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Can anyone help me with a mystery?

I am currently researching George Horton Parker, who was killed in the Great War whilst serving with the 9th Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment.

The mystery surrounds the date of his death, which is recorded on both the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website and the Soldiers Died in the Great War database as 14th July, 1916. He has no known grave.

I believe this date is wrong, as a correction to his medal index card changes the date he went to France from 17th July, 1915 to 17th July, 1916 - 3 days after his death.

Added to this, the Battalion records show that they were training, some miles behind the lines on the date he is supposed to have been killed in action and they make no mention of any casualties that day. Also, he was given a new service number in early 1917, which would not have happened if he had been confirmed as killed (and not just missing) in July, 1916.

I wonder if there are any local records, or newspaper reports of his death that might throw some light on this?

I believe he had a son, also called George Horton Parker, born 02/11/1911. They lived at 95, Ellison Street, Everton. Young George went to St George's School Infants Department, Everton until 23/12/20.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ken

Hello Ken,
Just to add more background....

George married Eliza Houghton in West Derby, March qtr of 1909. Their first child Elsie [Alice?] was born 1910. In addition to the son George bn 1911 there were 2 more children born later.

Births Jun 1913: Parker, Samuel S - Houghton - W.Derby - 8b - 893.
Births Dec 1915: PARKER, Thomas H - HOUGHTON - W. Derby - 8b - 761.

Had a look for Service deaths for George H Parker. This is the list of deaths from 1916 to 1918, ages unknown. Source: GRO War Death Army Other Ranks (1914 to1921)

PARKER, George H - At sea - Stoker - Ship: HAMPSHIRE - 1916
PARKER, George H - Corps: Rifle Brigade - 1916
PARKER, George H - Corps: Royal Engineers - 1916
PARKER, George W H - Corps: Suffolk Regiment - 1916
PARKER, George H - Corps: North Staffordshire Regiment - 1917
PARKER, George H - Corps: King's Royal Rifle Corps - 1917

PARKER, George H - Corps: East Lancashire Regiment - 1917 - Rank: Private; Number: 240838.

PARKER, George H - Corps: Leicestershire Regiment - 1918
PARKER, George H - Corps: Worcestershire Regiment - 1918
PARKER, George H G - Corps: King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) - 1918.

DS

Thanks DS.

He was definitely 9th King's Liverpools, but there is a possibility he was on temporary attachment to the Manchester Regiment, but that isn't confirmed.

Ken