Pte 22798 Frederic Parr

• Age: 24
• From: Hoylake
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• Died Wednesday 7th March 1917
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: V.C.3

Frederic (Fred) was born in the March quarter of 1892 the son of James Parr and his wife Frances Kate (nee Sherlock). He was the third son of five children born to the couple. They had married at Hoylake Trinity Church on 12th July 1887.  

The 1891 Census finds James and Frances K. Parr,  living with their sons James H., William H., at 235 Church Road, Hoylake

His father died in 1899.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 20 Church Road, Hoylake cum West Kirby. His mother is shown as a widow and the head of the household. Also present are Fred’s siblings: James b.1889, William Henry b.1890, Charles Joseph b.1895 and Edith Muriel b.1898. Frederic is 9 years old.

His mother sadly died in 1908. Probate for Frances Kate Parr died 09th October1908, probate dated 29th Oct to Isaac Barlow & John Francis Ashby

The 1911 Census finds Fred and his younger sister named as Muriel living at Birkenhead Road Hoylake, Hoylake cum West Kirby. He is living with his Grandmother Mary Parr a widow, his Aunt Eliza and his Uncles Samuel, William and Robert Parr. Samuel is shown as the head of the household. He is a Coal Merchant born in 1872. His Uncles William and Robert are shown to be working in the Coal business. Fred is now 19 years old and is shown to be employed as a Labourer.

Frederic was later to become a groundsman at West Kirby Park before becoming a Professional Golfer at Denbigh.

He enlisted in Liverpool on 09th November 1914 joining the 20^th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 22798. Fred signed his attestation form as Frederick, giving his age as 22 years and 339 days and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being 6' 2"  tall, weighed 154lbs and gave his next of kin as his brother Charles J. Parr, brother, 9 Cable Rd, Hoylake.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

His records show that he spent three days in a casualty clearing station in January 1916 and another six days in March 1916 suffering from neuralgia. He was promoted to acting unpaid lance corporal on 17/02/ 1917. He was admitted to 96 Field Ambulance on 01/03/1917 and was transferred to number 20 Casualty Clearing Station the following day, suffering from pleurisy. He passed away on 07/03/1917 from pneumonia. 

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in France where his headstone bears the inscription:

 “HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE”

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other smaller cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

His death was reported in the Birkenhead News on 17th March 1917:

"News was received on Friday last that Fred Parr of the K.L.R. had succumbed to an attack of pneumonia somewhere in France. The first intimation of anything wrong was in a letter received by the parents of another Hoylake soldier, who said he had seen Fred carried off the field apparently very ill some days before. Later on the same day Mr Joseph Sherlock, caretaker of the Town Hall and Council offices, who was the deceased's uncle, received the telegram announcing his death. The unfortunate young man was only about 24 years of age. He was the son of the late Mr James Parr, coal merchants, and nephew to the brothers Parr, who now carry on the same business. He was a professional golfer attached to the Denbigh Golf Club, to which he had gone after several years experience on local links, and as an assistant groundsman at West Kirby Park. His younger and only remaining brother Sgt C. J. Parr (4th Cheshire's) was at Gallipoli and is now in Egypt. To him and all other relatives are sympathy is extended".

A newspaper report of his death also appeared in the Free Press, Denbigh of 31/03/1917 shows the following:

Professional Golfer Killed

Members of the local Golf Club and other friends will hear with regret of the death of W Par, professional at the club before the outbreak of war. Within a month or so of the formation of the Liverpool “Pals” Parr joined up knowing that as a Liverpool man, he would have many friends in the ranks. Now, like many other sportsmen he has made the supreme sacrifice.   

His medals were sent to his brother Mr C.J.Parr on 18th January 1918. c/o Isaac Barlow, 4 Castle St, Liverpool  

His personal effects were sent home on 12th July 1918. to Mrs J. Barlow, 4 Castle St, Liverpool.. These were listed as a pipe, a pocket book and religious books, a tobacco pouch, a wrist watch (broken) with strap, a purse, two pearl links, a plait of hair and a bag.  These were then forwarded to his brother Samuel.

His estate was valued at £793 16s 1d and probate records dated 31st August 1917 for L/Cpl(?) Frederic Parr of 9 Cable Road, Hoylake, to Samuel Parr, coal dealer and Isaac Barlow, insurance agent. 

Fred is commemorated on the family headstone at Hoylake Trinity Churchyard.

Frederic (Fred) Parr 20th KLR

Who died at Warlencourt, France 7th March 1917 aged 24.

He is also commemorated on the memorial at St Hildeburgh Church, Hoylake.

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