PARK LIVES ~ Part 1
A Policy Development
Private Frederick Henry Park Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
The Man Frederick Henry Park was born on Wednesday 14th March 1877 at Clerkenwell, Holborn, London the eldest child of Henry, a photographic apparatus maker, and Eliza nee Darch. He was one of five children, Harry born on 15th February 1880, Annie Eliza - 29th January 1894, Herbert Darch - October 1885 and Dorothy Alice - July 1892. The 1881 census shows Frederick and family living at 18 Downham Road, Hackney and ten years later, in 1891 living at 91 De Beauvoir Road, Hackney, together with 19 year old Lucy Light as their servant. Following his education, Frederick followed in his Father’s footsteps and was shown on the 1901 census, now aged 24, as a Camera Maker. A year later, on 13th September 1902 Aged 25, he married Florence Annie Bingham in St Peters, Hackney. His occupation now described as Photographic Cabinet Worker, whilst Florence was a Collar Cutter. They had one son, born on 26th March 1904, Frederick William Henry Park, and at the time of his Christening in June, they were living at 24 Newington Green. Fredrick’s Father, Henry died on 5th April 1907 in the Central London Throat and Ear Hospital, leaving £209.2s.2d; and it was about this time Frederick changed his profession and became an Assurance & Insurance Agent. By 1911, He, Florence and Frederick junior were living at 18 Carysfort Road, Stoke Newington. Following the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Fredrick appears to have been conscripted following its introduction in January 1916. Conscription initially targeted single men aged 18-41, but a few months later it was rolled out for married men, and Fredrick aged 39 enlisted as a Private into the 7th Service Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, which had been formed in 1914. His service number was 28995 and he was posted to the Western Front in France. Following the end of the War he was awarded the 1914-15 British War and Victory Medals. By 1919 Frederick and family had moved to Devon living at Coombeside, Heath Road Brixham and he resumed his occupation as an Insurance Agent. Tragedy struck during the second quarter of 1924, when Florence died aged only 44. However, seven years later during the third quarter of 1931 Frederick re-married to Alice May Pen Praze in Totnes Devon. In 1939 Henry and Alice were living at Pen Moor 19 Nelson Road and aged 62 he had retired from Insurance work, but listed as an N R Enumerator, and Alice as doing unpaid domestic duties and with the Women’s Voluntary Service. Frederick continued living at Pen Moor, and died on 19th August 1957 aged 80 at The Hospital, Brixham, leaving £1983.7s.11d to his wife Alice, and was buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Brixham. Alice lived another 24 years and died on 12th June 1981aged 84 and still living at Pen Moor. She was buried alongside her husband.
Envelope and box of issue for Frederick's Medals.
The Story The awards presented to Frederick Henry, and his son Frederick William Henry Park were acquired on 8th June 2018 from Norman W Collett, having been watched on their web site for some time. Eventually the temptation became too great due to the Past Mayor’s Jewel and the possibility of extensive research. However researching a past Mayor of Torbay proved to be frustrating, not least because of the numerous local government changes that had taken place in the area since 1968. From Municipal Borough of Torquay, other urban districts and civil parishes to Torbay Borough Council, then Torbay District Council and now again Torbay Borough Council. Further confused by there being an elected Mayor of Torbay since 2005. Thus the ‘former’ Mayor role on the Borough of Torbay is now titled Chairman, but they wear the robes and chain of office of Town Mayor!
Basic research was possible from Ancestry. UK and google, allowing a reasonably detailed biography of Father and son to be built up.
Basic research was possible from Ancestry. UK and google, allowing a reasonably detailed biography of Father and son to be built up.
Medal Details:
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 28995 PTE. F.H.PARK. D.C.L.I.
- Victory Medal: 28995 PTE. F.H.PARK. D.C.L.I.
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This page last updated 14 Jan 19