Lance/Corporal Richard Harvey Parker
105896 Royal Garrison Artillery 305th Siege Btty
Died of pneumonia 9th February 1919, aged 32
Lived at 15 Claughton Street
Buried in Burnley Cemetery, UK
Burnley Express 12th February 1919

Richard Harvey Parker was the son of Arthur and Martha Parker; and the husband of Bertha Parker of 15 Claughton Street (off Queen Victoria Road), Burnley.
He died, aged 31, at home of pneumonia on Sunday 9th February 1919. He was then Lance Bombardier 105896 of the 305th Siege Bty., Royal Garrison Artillery. He is buried at Burnley Cemetery in grave A 3118.

The Burnley Express reported:-
“Returns From Belgium To Die. St Peter’s Teacher’s Sad Fate.
A very sad case is that of Bomb. Richard Harvey Parker, of the R.G.A., who had been on active service for a year and ten months, and arrived home on Friday and died of pneumonia on Sunday. On the previous Saturday he left his battery in Belgium, and arrived in England on Thursday to be demobilised, but on the journey through France he caught a chill. Serious developments were not feared, however, till the Saturday, though he went almost straight to bed on reaching home. He had not sustained the slightest injury while on service. In civil life he was a painter in the service of the Executors of John Hargreaves for a good number of years; in fact he had not worked anywhere other than Bank Hall, and he was highly respected among his fellow employees and at Top o’ th’ Town.
From his youth he attended St Peter’s Church and Sunday School , and was for many years a teacher. Joining the Army on July 11th 1916, and attached to the 305th Siege Battery, R.G.A., he went overseas on April 3rd 1917. The deceased, who was a married man with one child, was in his 32nd year and resided at 15, Claughton Street, where he died as stated. Bomb. Parker had two cousins killed and one wounded. The remains of the deceased are to be interred at Burnley Cemetery tomorrow, preceded by a service at the Parish church. Much sympathy is felt with his widow and family.”

Notes
Richard Harvey Parker was admitted to St Peter’s Infant School on 6/4/1889. Born on 3/4/86 his father was Arthur Parker of 24 Talbot Street. Harvey Parker was admitted to St Peter’s Junior School on 9/2/1894. Born on 3/4/87(?).

Wedding on 22/3/13 at St Peter’s Church. Richard Harvey Parker, bachelor, painter of 4, Talbot Street, son of William Parker, school caretaker married Bertha Greenwood, spinster of 15 Claughton Street, daughter of William Greenwood (deceased), Engineer. Witnesses were Gertrude Parker and Arthur Greenwood.

1901 Census – 24 Talbot Street – William Arthur Parker (43) school caretaker,
Martha (45), Richard H. (14) housepainter’s apprentice.