Parker VC

Dardanelles

The previous page was: "Lumsden V.C."

In february 1915, the Chatham and Plymouth battalions of the Royal Marine Light Infantry were sent to the Dardanelles to assist naval operations against the forts.

On March 4th the Plymouth battalion, landing at Sedd-al-Bahr and Kum Kale, successfully destroyed and silenced the heavy guns of the defence.

They made naval history by being the first battalion to operate simultaniously on two Continents.

The Navy's attack on the Dardanelles ended in failure, but there is more than one expert who holds the view that, had all the available men of the Brigade, been landed immediately after the bombardments, Achi Baba might have been held until the Army arrived.

Lumsden V.C.

Gallipoli

In the great land attack on Gallipoli which followed the naval failure to force the Darnelles the Royal Marine Brigade, as part of the Royal Naval Division, fought heroically.

The Plymouth Battalion, landing at "Y" beach on April 25th, was the first to set foot on the peninsula, although by mistaken orders, they were re-embarked the next day after heavy casualties.

Three days later the Chatham and Portsmouth Battalions landed at Anzac and earned imperishable fame in repelling the fierce Turkish attack which began on April 30th.

1st V.C. Of The War By Royal Marine

Lance-Corporal Walter Richard Parker

Lance-Corporal Walter Richard Parker, Royal Marines Light Infantry, Royal Naval Division, Gallipoli, Turkey. Won the first Victoria Cross of the war.

On the night of 30th April 1915, Lieutenant Empson, RMLI who was in command of an Isolated fire trench at Gaba Tepe sent a message asking for ammunition, water and medical stores; in the trench there were also 40 dead men and a number of wounded.

The message was received by Captain Syson, RMLI Officer Commanding `C' Company, Portsmouth Battalion, who detailed a party of Non-Commissioned Officers and men to carry water and ammunition and called for other volunteers for stretcher bearers.

It was duringthe heat of the blistering inferno that Lance-Corporal Parker won the first V.C. of the war. When volunteers were called for to take stores to the front trench, Parker, who during the three previous days had shown the greatest courage under fire while in charge of stretcher bearers, at once came forward.

To reach the trench, volunteers had to cross an area of some four hundred yards wide. It was completely exposed and swept with heavy fire. The urgent message from the trench had been received in the early hours of the morning.

It was already daylight when the party set out on their grim task. Several Australians had already been killed while endeavouring to convey ammunition to Lieutenant Empson.

Lance Corporal Parker thereupon organised

Parker alone succeeded in reaching the trench: all the remaining Non-Commissioned Officers and men in his party were either killed or wounded.

After his arrival he rendered assistance to the wounded, displaying supreme courage while attending to the wounded and, although wounded himself, without any personal consideration.

In the early morning of the following day the trench had to be evacuated and Parker helped to remove and attend to the wounded, although during this operation he was seriously wounded.

Modern-day Pages Fast Boats Pages Joe Wezley Pages

Parker had during the three previous

Parker displayed consistent bravery and energy whilst in charge of the battalion stretcher bearers during a very trying time, as in nearly every case the wounded had to be evacuated over exposed ground and under fire.

Owing to the fact that the Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Sergeant-Major and the Company Commander were all wounded at this juncture the recommendations for gallantry etc. for the Portsmouth battalion were much delayed.

The Brigadier General Commanding the Royal Navy Division at the time, however, considered this man should be awarded the Victoria Cross.

London Gazette - 22nd June 1917

Severely wounded during the operation Parker was eventually invalided from the service in June 1916.

Beside his VC he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War and Victory Medals and a war gratuity of £10.

The men of the Division presented him with an inscribed marble and gilt clock.

He never fully recovered from his injuries and died, aged 55, at Stapleford, Nottingham on 28th November 1936 and was buried in the local cemetery.

A Memorial Service, in his honour, is held annually at Stapleford on the Sunday nearest 30th April by the local RMA.

The next Link below will be: "Prettyjohn VC"

Parker VC Prettyjohn VC

"Pirates Trilogy" $20