William Henry Parry, West Yorkshire Regiment

Corporal Parry enlisted at Holyhead and entered France on 9 February 1915. He initially served with the Inland Water Transport and Docks Section of the Royal Engineers. This unit was formed in December of 1914 to deal with and to develop transport on canals and waterways of France and Belgium. The Section at first operated under the Director of Railways, but, owing to the rapid development of Inland Water Transport, a special directorate was formed in October of 1915. Over 6000 officers and men served in this section at the Western Front. 

He transferred to the 2/7th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment on 13th October 1917. The 2/7th Battalion was formed at Leeds on 15 September 1914. On 1 March 1915 it was attached to 185th Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division. It moved on 1 March 1915 to Matlock and in May to Thoresby Park, going on in October 1915 to Retford. In November it moved to Newcastle, then in January 1916 to Salisbury Plain and in June 1916 to Somerleyton near Lowestoft. In October 1916 it moved to Bedford and finally landed at Le Havre in January 1917. On 16 June 1918 it was reduced to cadre strength. The Cadre returned to England and was absorbed into 18th York & Lancashire Regiment on 19 June 1918. 

His grave inscription records that he was wounded near Achiet-Le-Grande, France. During March 1918 the Division were heavily involved close to here whilst helping to resist the German Spring Offensive, during the First Battle of Bapaume. Records show that on 27 March 1918 Coporal Parry received gunshot wounds to his leg and more seriously to his head. He was repatriated to the UK on 16th April and was admitted to Hearne Bay Military Hospital on 20th April and later on 20th April to the Fairfield VAD Hospital, Broadstairs, Kent. He died here on 1st September 1918. His death was registered at Thanet, Kent (2a1120).

Born at Holyhead the eldest son of Henry and Ann Parry of Hadley Villa, Rhos-y-Gaer Avenue, Holyhead. In 1901 he lived at 2 Tyn Pwll Road, Holyhead with his parents, Henry (34) and Ann Parry (28) together with his brother Edward R Parry and sisters Mary (5) and Anne G Parry (1). In 1911 the family lived at 3 Tyn Pwll Road, Holyhead. At this time he and his sister Mary had left home but the family had increased with the addition of a sister, Lizzie Catherine Parry (9) and brother Evan Thomas Parry (6). His father was born in Holyhead and was employed as a Labourer at the Railway Wagon Repair Department. His mother originated from Llanddeusant, Anglesey. It is believed that Corporal Parry was previously employed as a Steward for the London and North Western Railway Company (LNWR). He was engaged to Miss D M Benson of Kent.

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Buried in Holyhead (Maeshyfryd) Burial Board Cemetery, grave location B.761. Also commemorated on the LNWR Roll of Honour, Page 35.