| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Billie Parker was born in Hornsea the 9 Jul 1895. the son of grocer and baker William Parker and Sarah Ann (nee Reynolds), they married in Hull in 1889 and both were originally from Lincolnshire. Billie was educated locally and then became an apprentice in the family business. He was brought up at Hazelholme, 7 Cliffe Road, Hornsea.
Billie enlisted on 1 Sep 1914 in Hull and joined the 8th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment as a private. He was rapidly promoted: Lance-Corporal on 22 Sep 1914, Corporal 14 Oct 1914, and Sergeant 4 Nov 1914. He became company clerk on 30 Jan 1915 then reaching the most senior warrant officer's ranks of Company-Sergeant Major and acting CSM by Jan 1916. The 8th were sent to France on 25 Aug 1915 and Billie served the rest of the war there. On 10 Jul 1916, at Contalmaison, on the Somme, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for
“Conspicuous gallantry and resources in leading his men during an attack after his company officer had been killed and two other officers wounded."
Shortly afterwards Billie was given a "temporary commission" and became an officer. Once again he was rapidly promoted and reached the rank of Captain, serving again in France with the 8th Yorks.
Billie returned to Hornsea and worked in the family business. He was an active sportsman and a member of the local British Legion. He died at the age of 43 in Oct 1938.
Includes information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |