John Parry, Flight Sergeant

Flight Sergeant Clerk, 219055, 214th Squadren. Died, aged 29, on 4 December 1918.

The squadron was originally formed at Coudekerque, near Dunkirk, on 28th July 1917, as No. 7A Squadron, RNAS, and from the beginning its role was heavy night bombing. On the 9th December 1917, it reformed as No. 14 Squadron; RNAS, and on 1st April 1918, the same day the Royal Air Force was formed, 200 was added to its number "14" and it became No. 214 Squadron, RAF.

Equipped with Handley Page twin-engined bombers, they flew from coastal airfields in France, mainly engaged in night attacks against naval and army targets in Belgium, but also bombed targets in France. At the start it operated under the Dunkirk Naval Command, then from March to June in the 7th Brigade under the control of the Army, and lastly, from 4th June to the Armistice in the 82nd Wing, again under the Naval Command. In April and May 1918, it assisted in the Naval blocking operations at Zeebrugge and Ostend. Posted to Egypt in 1919, No. 214 disbanded the following year.

He was the son of Jane Parry, of 22 Cecil Street, Holyhead, and the late Richard Parry. In 1911 the family lived at the same address and comprised Jane Parry (60), Richard (30) - Ship's Fireman, David John (28) - Grocery Assistant, Maggie (27) - Dressmaker, William (23) - Ship's Steward, John (21) - Grocery Assistant and Robert (16) - Grocery Assistant.

He died of Broncho-pnuemonia. He had previously served with the Royal Naval Air Service.

Buried at Lille Southern Cemetery. Grave location IC7. He was a member of the Holyhead (St. Cybi) Masonic Lodge and recorded on the Masonic Roll of Honour.