242197 Private Henry Parrington
1/6th Battalion
Duke of Wellington's(West Riding)
Regiment
27th February 1918
Born in Skipton Yorkshire in 1893. His parents were William Parrington(22/10/1866-1939) and
Grace Hayes(31/03/1864-1944). They were married in 1887.
Henry had 3 brothers, John William(1891-1892), Thomas(05/10/1896-1980) and James(17/02/1899-1949).
He also had 2 sisters, Mary Jane(born in 1889) and Elizabeth(1904-1918).
In the 1901 census the family were recorded as living 26 Rowland Street, Skipton, Yorkshire. William was self-employed as a coal merchant.
The 1911 census showed that the family were still living at the same address. William was now working as a carter. Henry was also working as a carter ,but dealing with the transportation of wool.
Henry enlisted in Keighley, West Yorkshire in January 1916.
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Entry in the war diary for 1/6th West Riding Regiment - 27/02/1918
"Retaliation on B(attalion)n front for the shelling of Polderhoek.
Killed -242197. Pte Parrington H. 23809 … - SHELLFIRE"
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More details surrounding Henrys death can be found in the following newspaper article.
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Craven Herald - 15 March 1918
FORMER SKIPTON PORTER KILLED
We regret to say that Mr. and Mrs. Parrington, 26 Rowland Street, Skipton, received a letter on Wednesday from Major Gilbert Tanner stating that their son, Private Henry Parrington, West Riding Regiment, was killed on February 27th. Major Tanner expressed his sympathy and explained that a shell fell on the dugout in which Private Parrington and two comrades were on duty. A party immediately set to work to dig the men out, and Private Parrington was alive, but unconscious, when he was brought out. All efforts to revive him, however, were futile, and he passed away without pain.
Mr. Parrington has also received a letter from his brother James, who mentions that his son helped to dig deceased (his cousin) out. Two days before his death Private Parrington wrote his parents a most cheerful letter, mentioning that he was with two Skipton lads named Clarke (Duckett Street) and S. Hudson, (Rowland, Street), and closing with the touching words ‘God be with you till we meet again’.
Twenty-four years of age and formerly a porter at Skipton Station, deceased enlisted in January 1916 and had been at the Front 20 months. His brother, Private T. Parrington, was recently wounded in the right arm in April last year, and has been in hospital at Liverpool, while another brother is also about to join up.*
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Craven Herald - 22 March 1918
PRIVATE HENRY PARRINGTON, SKIPTON
We are able to reproduce a photograph of Private Henry Parrington, son of Mr. and Mrs. Parrington, 20 Rowland Street, Skipton, and formerly a porter at Skipton Station, who, as recorded in last week’s ‘Herald,’ was killed on February 27th.*
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Craven Herald - 28 February 1919
PARRINGTON – In proud and loving memory of Private Harry Parrington, 1/6th West Riding Regiment, the eldest son of Grace and William Parrington, who was killed in his dug-out on February 27th, 1918.
In health and strength, he left his home,
Not thinking death was near.
It pleased the Lord to bid him come
In his presence to appear.
Some day we hope to meet him,
Some day we know not when.
To clasp his hand in the better land,
Never to part again.
----- Sister and Brother -----
PARRINGTON – In loving memory of Pte. Harry Parrington, who was killed in action February 27th, 1918.
Gone but not forgotten.
From Aunt Maggie and Family, 39, Pendle Street, Skipton.*
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Henry was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
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His mother Grace, on 10/09/1918 was awarded a pension of 6/- a week for life from 17/09/1918.