Battle of Somme

[kerszk]

Hi Jim1
He would have to have been home prior to may 1919 as another child was born. So I am guessing he came home after he was well enough.

[kerszk]

Hi jim1

I wasn't sure what the SWB medal was . So I googled it then looked it up on ancestry. There is a John Arthur Parkinson with the Regiment number you quoted. What do you think? could this be him?

[jim1]

yes
If he was well enough he would have gone back unless he was invalided out but you still need to see the list as this is all there is to identify him.

[kerszk]

It has him enlisted 10/12/1915 discharged 9/8/1919 served overseas. this ties in perfectly with the birth of their next child Elsie. Regiment list has reason for discharge 392XVIa   36  7/12.

[kerszk]

His wife would have been pregnant with my father but probably didn't know when he enlisted. My father was born 28 Sept 1916

[jim1]

As he was still in August 1919 he will be on the 1918/19 list which is held at Manchester Council House.
I'm 90% sure it's him but Parkinson is a common name so you just look up his address & it will give name,rank & no.
To answer your 1st. question as to whether he fought at the Battle of the Somme you would need a Battalion no.

[kerszk]

To get this list would I have to apply for it?

[km1971]

...Regiment list has reason for discharge 392XVIa   36  7/12.

Kings Regulations 1914 paragraph 392 section XV1 is No longer physically fit for service

Age on discharge was 36 years 7 months. As you have the date of discharge you should be able to work out if the DoB fits. The SWB list says he enlisted in December 1915. However he may have been registered then but not called up until after your father was born - http://www.1914-1918.net/derbyscheme.html - hence his normal occupation on your father's birth certificate.

What was Elsie's DoB? Her birth certificate may be a better guide.

The Cheshire Regiment have a team of volunteer researchers - http://www.cheshiremilitarymuseum.co.uk/museum-services-and-research/research.aspx - They probably do not have an individual record for him. But they may be able to tell you when his number was issued and if you can tell his battalion from it.

http://www.1914-1918.net/cheshire.htm

If you discover his battalion you follow the link to his Division (top right).

A South Lancs expert on the Great War Forum may be able to tell you when his South Lancs number was issued.

Ken

[jim1]

His DOB works out to Jan. 1883 which is right on the money.