Walter John Parsons

Story:
Walter John Parsons was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 9 Feb 1894 the son of Joseph Parsons and Frances Parsons (nee Frost).  (He was not baptised until 4 Nov 1906 at the same time his five siblings were also baptised.) He lived his early life with his family at Hugglers Hole, Semley, Wiltshire.   He enlisted and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 2512 & 200830).  He served with the 1/4th Battalion though it is not known in which theatre of war though it is known his battalion served in India.  He was discharged 25 Apr 1919 and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  He was registered at the then family home at 37 Longcross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury until his marriage to Edith Emily Harris at the Parish Church in Farnham, Dorset, on 9 Oct 1922.  Regrettably his wife died in 1934. By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Wakeham Farm Cottage, Rogate, Horsham, Sussex, working as a Cowman.  His death was recorded at the Crawley, West Sussex, Registry in 1978.  Of his brothers, Charles George Parsons, died in service whilst Percy Frank Parsons and Archibald Joseph Parsons, both served and survived the conflict.