Celebrating Poundbury Magazine Issue 6: The bright thinkers and entrepreneurs | Page 36

Campbellwicks Interiors Derek Parsons, 98, a resident at Colten Care’s Castle View in Poundbury realised his dearest wish to be reunited with his war hero father’s medals. Below: Major John Parsons who received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for “Valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in France and Flanders.” Interior Design for your home Interior Design Service – Curtains and Blinds – Colour Consultancy - Wallcoverings & Fabrics including, William Morris, Colefax & Fowler, Jane Churchill and Farrow & Ball. 12 Tudor Arcade, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1SB Tel: [phone] Mon–Sat, 9:30 – 5:00 [email protected] D BUSINESS • AIRPORTS • CRUISES • PROMS • WEDDINGS 36 WWW.CELEBRATINGPOUNDBURY.CO.UK CARE HOME RESIDENT REUNITED WITH WAR HERO FATHER’S MEDALS Poundbury’s Derek Parsons has realised his dearest wish – to be reunited with his father’s war medals Extra Mile prides itself on providing first class travel from South & West Dorset. Our Services includes business travel, group bookings and airport transfers in one of our executive Mercedes vehicles. Telephone: [phone] Mobile: [phone] Email: [email protected] Web: www.extramileuk.co.uk erek, 98, a resident at Colten Care’s Castle View in King’s Birthday Honours list. Poundbury, asked his carers to take him to see the He survived the war and qualified as a solicitor in 1920. WW1 medals which he inherited and donated to the Derek followed his father into the armed services and became Royal Signals Museum in Blandford, more than 13 a Major in the Royal Engineers (1939-1941) and Royal Artillery years ago. (1941-1946). Amongst them is the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), which He served in WW2 including in India/Burma in 1943–1945 and his father received for ‘Valuable services rendered in connection with was involved in the famous battle of Imphal and the historic defeat Military Operations in France and Flanders.’ of the Japanese. Derek’s father John Parsons was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant After the war, he enjoyed a long and successful career in the in the Territorial Army in 1912 shortly after leaving school and packaging and newsprint business. in August 1914 enlisted in the 1st/4th Derek donated his father’s medals to the (Territorial) Battalion, Leicestershire Royal Signals Museum in 2005. “It’s been wonderful to hold Regiment and qualified as a signals instructor. He said: “When I told Emma at Castle View the medals in my hand again. He was preparing for his law exams when that I would like to see the medals again, I WW1 broke out, and with the Leicestershire didn’t think I actually would. But she got It makes me very proud to Regiment attached to the Royal Engineers straight on the case.” see them displayed here North Midlands Divisional Signals, he Emma Foxley, a Colten Companion, said: along with all the others.” embarked for France as part of 138 Brigade, “When a resident has a wish or ambition we 46th North Midlands Division. make it our mission to grant it and it has been The Battalion was active on the Western Front and in October really fabulous to see Derek holding the medals again. 1915 engaged in the battle of Hohenzollern Redoubt near Auchy-les- “The Museum has been fantastic in helping us to arrange the Mines. Two hundred of the Regiment’s lost their lives on the first day wish and very kindly gave Derek and some of our other residents a of the battle. fascinating tour of the exhibits.” John was later promoted to Captain and transferred to the 66th Derek added: “It’s been wonderful to hold the medals in my hand East Lancashire Division where he saw action in Flanders and France, again. They look as well kept as they were when I gave them to the including the 3rd battle for Ypres. museum and it makes me very proud to see them displayed here He received his first Mention in Dispatches for action at along with all the others. Passchendaele and was again Mentioned in Dispatches following the “My father displayed them in a cabinet in our lounge and I know he offensive of March 1918 around Peronne. would be very pleased to know they are here in the museum which In June 1918 and now a Major, John was awarded the DSO on the celebrates the achievements of his Regiment.” WWW.CELEBRATINGPOUNDBURY.CO.UK 37