Military History

Embarked Fremantle HMAT Miltiades A28 for Egypt 12.2.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Infantry Battalion, 14th Reinf, AIF
Parson’s disembarked at Suez with the 11th Bn 10.3.1916. They entrained to Alexandria and joined BEF. From this port they embarked for France 29.3.1916. The Bn. disembarked at Marseilles 4.4.1916 and marched in to the 1st Div. Base Depot at Etaples. Parsons became sick and was admitted to the 26th General Hospital at Etaples with Influenza 24.4.1916. Crowded conditions in both the camps, trenches and hospitals resulted in cross infections. Parsons contracted Mumps and was moved to an isolation hospital 8.5.1916. He contracted measles 1.8.1916. Parsons rejoined the Base Depot 20.8.1916. He served with his Bn. at Pozieres in the trenches until he contracted dysentery. This resulted in him being invalided to Havre, and embarking on the HS’ Warilda’ for UK 9.12.1916. Parsons was admitted to 3rd Sth General Hospital 11.12.1916. He was discharged and marched in to No. 2 Com. Depot, Weymouth 24.1.1917. Parsons was transferred to a Drafting Depot at Perham Downs 14.4.1917. In May 1916, he proceeded overseas to France via Southampton 22.5.1917. He rejoined his Bn. in France 15.6.1917. Parsons was detached for Base Duty at Havre, for duty as a Batman to Lieut. Norrie. 19 8.1917. He was admitted to hospital sick 5.10.1917 and sent to England from France, ex 1st ABBD with a diagnosis of Epilepsy 19.12.1917. Following discharge, in which the Hospital doctors dismissed epilepsy as a diagnosis, he proceeded overseas to France 15.8.1918. Parsons marched in to AIBD France 17.8.1918 and to his Unit at the Battle of Amiens. Parsons was admitted to hospital in France sick with dysentery 13.9.1918. Discharged to Base 1.10.1918. Rejoined 11th Bn. 14.10.1918. He was detached for duty with the 4th Coy. Ammunition Supply Column 14.1.1919. Parsons marched out from France 4.4.1919 for England and return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per HT ‘Somali’ 1.6.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 8.7.1919.
Discharged 30.8.1919
Final Rank Private, 11th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition NK (epilepsy dismissed by Medical Officer)
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P08559.001
             Main Street Pozieres, 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A05776
             Amiens- shelled houses 1918, Photographer unknown, photograph sourced AWM E02163


Information Source
AWM P08559.001. HMAT 'Miltiades'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM A05776. Main Street Pozieres, 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E02163. Amiens- shelled houses 1918, Photographer unknown, photograph sourced  from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Parsons Henry
AWM Embarkation Roll- Henry Parsons
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

‘Brooklands’, 3 Hubert Street, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images