First World War in Headington & Marston
Roll of Honour of Holy Trinity Church, Headington Quarry

Frederick Charles PARSONS (1890–1915)

Frederick Charles Parsons was born in Headington Quarry in 1890, the son of Charles William Parsons (born in Titup and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 29 December 1867) and Jane Rowles (born in Fawler near Stonesfield in 1867, registered Woodstock third quarter).

His parents were married at Finstock Church on 28 November 1886 when they were both only 19 . They had seven children:

• Annie Rebecca Parsons (born in Fawler in 1887, registered fourth quarter and baptised at Finstock Church on 25 December 1887)
• Frederick Charles Parsons (born at Headington Quarry in 1890, registered third quarter and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 31 August 1890)
• Susan Selina Ellen Tryphena, known as Ellen Parsons (born at Headington Quarry in 1891/2, registered first quarter of 1892 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 27 March 1892)
• Lucy Parsons (born at Headington Quarry in 1893/4, registered first quarter of 1894 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 25 February 1894)
• Arnold Harold Parsons (born at Headington Quarry in 1902, registered fourth quarter and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 30 November 1902)
• Charles Parsons (born at Headington Quarry in 1904, registered third quarter and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 28 August 1904)
• Jack Parsons (born at Headington Quarry on 16 January 1907 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 24 February 1907).

Frederick’s parents must have met in Fawler, as at the time of their marriage, his father (who was unable to sign his name) was working there as a labourer and his mother as a gloveress. They continued to live there at the start of their married life.

By mid-1890 Frederick’s father had moved with wife and first child to his home village of Headington Quarry and took up work as a brickyard labourer. The 1891 census shows the family living at Shotover Hill Place, with Frederick a nine-month-old baby.

The 1901 census shows the family living at 2 Vine Cottages at The Pitts in Quarry: his mother was now working as a charwoman, and no doubt Annie (13) helped looked after Frederick (10), Ellen (9), and Lucy (7), who were all at school..

In 1911 their address is still given as The Pitts (possibly 66 Pitts Road, where they definitely lived later). Frederick (20) was then a brickmaker’s carter and his mother was taking in needlework. The only other children still at home were the three youngest: Arnold (8), Charles (6), and Jack (4). The three children who had left home were Annie (23), who was now married; Ellen (19); and Lucy (17), who was a servant to an old lady who lived in Circus Street, east Oxford.

Frederick Charles Parsons volunteered to serve in the First World War and was a Lance Corporal in the 8th Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment (Service No. 17543). He was killed in action in France at the age of 25 on 25 September 1915.

He has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Loos Memorial and on the stone plaque in the porch of Holy Trinity Church in Headington Quarry.

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Postscript

Frederick’s parents

• They lived at 66 Pitts Road after Frederick’s death. His mother Mrs Jane Parsons died at the age of 69 on 11 April 1937, and his father Charles Parsons at the age of 88 on 4 November 1956. They are buried in Holy Trinity churchyard, and have an inscribed grave, which does not mention Frederick.

Frederick’s siblings

• Annie Rebecca Parsons (born 1887) married the Pewsey coachman William Amor at Holy Trinity Church on 29 October 1908. Their daughter Ivy Rebecca Amor was born at Pewsey on 27 September 1909 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Headington Quarry on 31 October 1909.