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.”
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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
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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.”
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