Parker, James Robert 15957 (1891 - 1916)

Sergeant, 17th Bn. Highland Light Infantry

Buried at Thiepval Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Sergeant J. R. Parker was known at School as a youth of much promise both in character and ability. He was equally at home with lessons and with games, and whatever he had to do, he did with all his might.

On leaving School he gained entrance to the Civil Service, and finally was appointed assistant to the Surveyor of Taxes. He kept up his interest in his old School and was an active member of the Tennis Club, and an outstanding figure in the Rugby team. In two seasons he played for the first XV in the three-quarter line. Slight and almost fragile looking he was yet ever prominent in attack. His resolution, dash, and elusiveness rendered him a formidable opponent, and everyone felt there were great possibilities when Bobby got the ball.

Like so many more of our old boys he joined the Chamber of Commerce Battalion as a private on the outbreak of war and went to France in November, 1915, as sergeant of its machine gun section. His sterling qualities found ample scope for their exercise during the trying winter of 1915, and secured for him the confidence and regard of both officers and men.

He took a prominent part in the famous bombing raid which brought so much eclat to the 17th. For his part in the business he was allowed home on leave.

On returning to the Front he was one of the band of brothers who met in an Inn in Picardy to commemorate their School days and to honour their School. Of the gay company that there assembled only some three or four have won safely through. The
great majority, including the gallant J. R. Parker, sleep their last sleep before the impregnable lines of Thiepval, which they heriocally, but vainly, sought to gain on the 1st July, 1916.

One of his friends, writing home, says-" I last saw Bob on the night preceding the great assault. He was in great spirits, and I never came in contact with anyone who was more fed up with comparative inaction or looked forward more eagerly to the Big Push."