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Provincial Archives of New Brunswick

Soldiers of the Great War; The Fredericton Soldier Biography History Initiative

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Parsons, William Ernest

Lance Corporal 709189
104th Battalion
26th Battalion

Background

William Ernest Parsons was born August 24, 1888 in Fredericton, New Brunswick to John Herbert Parsons Sr. and Ella Lorena Wells. According to census records, William was the oldest of seven siblings including Annie, Bessie, John H. Jr., Edward, Dorothy, Aldon, and Robert. Records reveal that the Parsons family lived at 559 Brunswick Street and that his father worked as a restaurant keeper in Fredericton. At a young age, “Billie” Parsons, as William was known around Fredericton, was one of the most promising musicians in the city having spent most of his upbringing active with the George Street Baptist Church, the Fredericton Brass Band, and later with the 71st Regiment Band. William eventually came to work as a pressman with the Daily Gleaner and maintained himself as a prominent figure in the work of youth organizations and Sunday school teaching. By all accounts, William Parsons, was incredibly well-liked and known by many in Fredericton largely due to his active involvement. Although he was not married at the time of his enlistment September 25, 1915, William’s service record suggests that prior to the war he may have proposed to a close friend named Lillian V. Currie of Carleton Street. While there is limited information to confirm this, documents appear to suggest this was likely true. Given that both Lillian and William lived close to one another, attended the same church, and that Lillian was named in his will and would receive his medals of service, it is more likely than not that they had made plans to get married after he returned. Although William had no experience in the military outside of being a musician with the local regiment, he would join the 104th Battalion in Sussex alongside his father and two brothers, John H. Jr. and Edward, and begin training to go overseas. According to his attestation, William was 27 years old and stood five feet seven inches tall, having hazel eyes, light brown hair, and a fair complexion. While it appears that he would write home constantly throughout the war, his active service record reveals that he likely never saw his family and friends again after the spring of 1916.

Wartime Experience

On June 28, 1916, Private William E. Parsons, his brother and father, embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia on the S.S. Olympic for Liverpool, England, arriving July 5. Upon arrival, William stayed with the 104th Battalion, remaining in England upon request that he be a training instructor and help with the war effort in England with his brother and father. For the next twelve months, William remained in his position with the 104th until news reached him that his brother, Edward, had been buried alive and had almost died. This likely had an impact on William. Active and anxious to go over to France “and get a taste of real war,” according to the Daily Gleaner, on April 14, 1917, William put in a request for lower rank to go to the front with the 26th Battalion. Now a Lance Corporal, Parsons arrived with the 26th Battalion on April 20, 1917. While there are few details of his activities over the next few months, William remained active with the 26th Battalion in the Arras area of France in the months leading up to the August attacks near Lens at Hill 70. On August 9, William wrote home to his family telling them that he was going up the line the following day. On the morning of August 15, 1917, the opening day of the Hill 70 attacks, the 26th Battalion attacked a system of German trenches, called the Norman trench system. At some point during the attack Lance Corporal Parsons was killed instantly after a German shell exploded nearby his position. William was 29 years old. News of his death reached the pages of the Daily Gleaner in late August indicating general grief from a community that had known him well. A few weeks after his death, Sunday, September 9, 1917, an evening memorial service was held at the George Street Baptist Church in honour of William’s life and sacrifice. According to the Daily Gleaner, his former pastor, Rev. J. E. Wilson, of Woodstock conducted the service alongside members of the Fredericton Brass Band. As the Monday paper reported a day after his memorial service, “the George Street Baptist Church was packed to the doors Sunday evening by the friends, acquaintances and former associates of William Parsons” suggesting an impressive turn-out of community members and friends paying their last respects to an admired young man.

Lest We Forget

Lance Corporal William Parsons is buried with honour at the Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery in Feurbaix, France where there are 893 identified casualties.

*This biography was researched and written by James Davis 8A, and Alyssa Orchard 8E, Grade 8 students at George Street Middle School located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

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