A E Parton (1894 – 1917)

Albert Ernest Parton was baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth, on 10th October 1894. He was the son of Charles Parton, a dyehouse labourer, and his wife, Sarah. They lived in St John's Street.

In 1911 the 18-year-old Albert was working as a domestic house boy. He married Mary Rossiter in Clonmel, Ireland, in 1915. The couple lived in St John Street, possibly next-door to Albert’s parents. The couple had a son, Albert, born in 1916.

Albert was probably a regular, serving with the 1st Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. The birth notice of his son in the Bridgnorth Journal of 11th March, 1916, describes him as ‘Signaller A Parton’. Albert was wounded in October 1916:

WOUNDED
[Bridgnorth Journal 28th October, 1916]
[List includes:] Parton 9784 Pte. Albert (10, St John's Street)

Albert recovered from his wounds but was killed in action on 4th December, 1917 while his battalion was engaged in the Battle of Cambrai (1917). He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial in Louverval Military Cemetery

Private Parton, 9784, was awarded the Victory and British medals and the 1914 star. His death was reported in the Bridgnorth Journal on 22nd December, 1917.

BRIDGNORTH SOLDIER KILLED
[Bridgnorth Journal, 22nd December, 1917]
Another Bridgnorth boy has lost his life in the great struggle. Mr. and Mrs. C Parton, of 10 St John's Street, have been officially informed that their third son, 9784 Pte. Albert E. Parton, 1st Shropshires, was killed in action, at a place not stated, in France, on the 4th inst. Pte. Parton was sent to France at the beginning of the war, and consequently has seen a good deal of fighting On two previous occasions he was wounded. He was in his 24th year, and leaves a widow and one child.