Special Constable Francis Benedict Parnell Armed Forces and Special Constabulary
The Man Francis Benedict Parnell was born in Wangford, Suffolk on Wednesday 7th August 1918, son of Robert Clayton Parnell a Steel Turner at a marine engineering works and Ellen May nee Wisker. He had two older sisters, Doris Lucy born in 1908 and Kathleen Francis 1909. On 14th October 1938, following his education Francis now aged 20 was appointed to work in the British Postal Services as a Postal Engineer. At the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, he enlisted into the Armed Forces and during the third quarter of 1941 married Winifred Elizabeth Self in Wainford (another similarly named village to his birthplace) and subsequently saw service in the Burma campaign. They had no children. During February 1942 Francis was re-appointed within the postal service at Norwich, it is assumed this was done as a matter of course for those serving in the forces. Following the war Francis was awarded the 1939-45 and Burma Stars, Defence and War Medal 1939-45 and returned to working in the Post Office as well as joining the Special Constabulary. In 1969 aged 51 Francis retired from the Post Office as a Technical Officer, still based in Norwich. He was awarded the Imperial Service Medal which was published in the London Gazette of 18th September 1978, and also the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal. By 2003 now aged 85 Francis and Winifred were living at 3, Kingston Drive, Beccles, Suffolk and he died on 14 Jan 2008 aged 89. Winifred, who by now was sadly blind, lived a further two years and died on 6th January 2010 also aged 89 at James Paget Hospital, Gorleston. She was cremated on 29th January and her ashes interred at Great Yarmouth.
The Story The group of medals awarded to Francis Benedict Parnell were acquired from E-Bay in April 2020 together with the medals of Hector Charles Feveryear, following an offer that was accepted. They were of interest because of the double long service awards of the Imperial Service and Special Constabulary Long Service Medals. Ancestry.UK enabled a brief biography to be pieced together, and having identified Francis’ sister it was possible to cross reference her Mother’s maiden name, Wisker, to Francis’ birth details, thus locate the 1911 census to find the family information, despite Francis not being born until 1918. Francis does not appear on the 1939 Census and sadly it has not been possible to identify which of the Armed Forces he served in, despite checking absent voters. The medals had also previously been sold at Dix Noonan Webb at their auction of Jul 2017.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Burma Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Imperial Service Medal: FRANCIS BENEDICT PARNELL
- Special Constabulary Long Service Medal: FRANCIS B. PARNELL
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This page last updated 26 Apr 20