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.