192818 Private Frederick James Parker was a 26 year old motorman originally from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England when he attested into the 92nd Battalion in Toronto on August 23, 1915. After arrival in the UK, the 92nd Battalion was broken up to supply reinforcements to units at the Front and in August 1916 Private Parker was sent to the 15th Battalion and assigned to No. 3 Company. In August he was attached to the 3rd Field Company RCE for wiring returning to the 15th Battalion on The Somme near Courcelette to take part in the actions at Pozieres and Thiepval Ridge (Regina Trench). While the battalion was back in the line near Courcelette in October, Private Parker was gassed and blown from his trench by an HE artillery shell. He remained with the battalion until January 1917 when he was evacuated to the UK suffering from severe traumatic neurosis to his ears (tinnitus). In the UK he was diagnosed as also suffering from neurasthenia – combat stress reaction or as his file stated “shell shock”. He was treated unsuccessfully in numerous Canadian and British medical facilities for 22 months before finally being returned to Canada. Further medical treatment in Canada was also unsuccessful and he was discharged in January 1919. The details are not known but Private Parker died of service related illness on May 8, 1921 and was buried in Prospect Park Cemetery, Toronto.
NOK: Son of Anna Parker, of Trowbridge, Wilts, England, and the late George Parker; husband of Grace Ellen Parker, of 94, Indian Rd., Toronto, Ont. George Parker (F) Lady Down, Trowbridge, Wilts, England
