Pte 49558 Albert William Parker

• Age: 30
• From: Litherland, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• Died Thursday 18th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Bootle Cem, Liverpool
  Panel Ref: I.CE.347

Albert William Parker was born in 1888 in Litherland, Liverpool the son of Elizabeth Parker, the unmarried daughter of John H. Parker and Maria Louisa Parker. 

At the time of the 1891Census he is recorded as a grandson, aged 2, living at 66 Beaumont Street, Toxteth Park. His grandfather John H. Parker, is a 50 year old book keeper born in Hull, whilst his grandmother Maria L. Parker is also aged 50 and also born in Hull. They live with their children who are listed as; Rose aged 24 and a domestic servant born in Rock Ferry, Edith aged 22 is a cook in cafe born in Toxteth, Elizabeth  is an 18 year old dressmaker born in Toxteth, and Kate is aged 15 and a printers shop assistant also born in Toxteth.

Elizabeth married George E. Mellor on 22nd April 1903 at St Saviour's Church, Everton

By the 1901 Census he was living at 25 Fowler Street, Everton with his Grandparents.

Albert married Elizabeth Phillips in 1908 in the West Derby Registration District.  They had three children; Albert Leslie born in the March quarter of 1909, William Henry born in the June quarter of 1912 and James Harold born in the September quarter of 1914.

At the 1911 Census Albert is now living at 88 Boswell Street, Bootle with wife Elizabeth - Albert was a Joiner at a Wood Box Makers.

On the 1911 Census their son Albert Leslie Parker was with his grandmother Elizabeth Phillips at 11 Garden Lane, Bootle. 

By the 1911 census his mother Elizabeth and her husband George Mellor are living at 300 Stanley Road, Bootle with widowed mother Maria Louisa and sisters Rose, Louisa and Kate. (Mr and Mrs Mellor are named amongst the chief mourners at Albert's military funeral in Bootle)

Albert was serving with the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment when he died at home on 18th April 1918 aged 30..

He now rests at Bootle Cemetery, Liverpool where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“HE DIED THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE”

There are 199 burials from the First World War in the Cemetery.

A report on his death appeared in the Bootle Times on the 26th April 1918.

GALLANT LITHERLAND BANDSMAN.

MILITARY FUNERAL AT BOOTLE CEMETERY.

The funeral of Private Albert W. Parker, K.L.R., of 23 Beechwood-road, Litherland, who died in a military hospital in Scotland as the result of wounds and double pneumonia, took place yesterday (Thursday) at Bootle Borough Cemetery, with full military honours. The coffin, covered by the Union Jack, was conveyed to the cemetery on a gun-carriage, and an escort and firing-party from Sniggery Camp were in attendance. After the coffin had been lowered, three volleys were fired, and the Last Post sounded over the open grave.

Pte. Parker was in the employ of Messrs. Boothroyd's, Ltd., Bootle, before the war, and was held in the highest esteem by his firm and fellow-workers. He was deeply fond of music, and as a member of the 8th Irish Band took part in the big recruiting campaign. On their disbursement he was drafted into another battalion of the King's. He was home on leave just before Easter, but returning to France was wounded on Good Friday, and was sent to Edinburgh, where he succumbed. For a period of twelve years Pte. Parker was a capable and esteemed member of the Litherland Prize Band. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and the large attendance at the funeral gave an indication of the respect in which he was generally held.

The chief mourners were Mrs. Parker (widow), Mr. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Witlow, Master L. Parker, Miss Parker, Mr. and Mrs. Mellor, Mrs. Phillips, Miss K. Parker, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Wood (representing Boothroyd's), Mr. Pugh and Mr. J.A. Vincent (representing the Litherland Prize Band). Others present were Mrs. Vincent, Mrs. Woods, Mrs. Helsby, Miss Helsby, Mr. H. Hughes, Mr. G. Williams, Mr. Tons, Mr. W. Rimmer, R.N.R., Mr. T. Carney, etc. Beautiful floral tributes were sent by His sorrowing wife and family, Eddie and mother-in-law, Fanny and Jim (in France), Rose and Kit, Eddie, Edith and Joe, The Neighbours, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Schofield, Mr. and Mrs. G. Miller, Mr. G. Smith, jun., Female Employees of H.M. Factory, etc

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. G. Stanton, funeral director and carriage proprietor, 74, Marsh-lane, Bootle, 4, Bridge-road, Litherland, and 38, Mount-pleasant, Waterloo. 

The firing party from "Sniggery Camp" mentioned in the funeral article was so named as it was just between Sniggery Farm and Sniggery Wood, Blundellsands.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Elizabeth Parker and children Albert Leslie, William Henry and James Harold. The records state that Albert died at Bangour War Hospital, Edinburgh. 

Albert is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Linacre Mission

Litherland Civic 

His widow Elizabeth re-married in 1919 at St Andrew’s Church, Litherland to Frederick Brown. She lived at 23, Beechwood Road, Litherland, after the war. 

We currently have no further information on Albert William Parker, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.