Hardy Falconer Parsons
Encyclopedia
Hardy Falconer Parsons VC (13 June 1897 - 21 August 1917) was an English
recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces. He was educated at Kingswood School
and as a medical student at the University of Bristol
in the 14th (S) Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment
, British Army
during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 20/21 August 1917 near Epehy
, France
, during a night attack by the enemy on a bombing post held by his command, the bombers holding the post were forced back, but Second Lieutenant Parsons remained at his post. Single-handed and although severely scorched and burnt by liquid fire, he continued to hold up the enemy with bombs until severely wounded. His gallant action held the enemy long enough for the defense of the position to be consolidated. Second Lieutenant Parsons died of his wounds.
, Gloucester, England.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces. He was educated at Kingswood School
Kingswood School
Kingswood School, referred to as 'Kingswood', is an independent day and boarding school located in Bath, Somerset, England. The school is coeducational and educates some 950 children aged 3 to 18. It is notable for being founded by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in 1748...
and as a medical student at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
Details
He was 20 years old, and a temporary second lieutenantSecond Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the 14th (S) Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment
The Gloucestershire Regiment
The Gloucestershire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Nicknamed "The Glorious Glosters", the regiment carried more battle honours on their regimental colours than any other British Army line regiment.-Origins and early history:...
, British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 20/21 August 1917 near Epehy
Épehy
Épehy is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Épehy is situated in the northeast of the department, on the D24 and D58 roads some north-northwest of Saint Quentin.-Population:-External links:* * * *...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, during a night attack by the enemy on a bombing post held by his command, the bombers holding the post were forced back, but Second Lieutenant Parsons remained at his post. Single-handed and although severely scorched and burnt by liquid fire, he continued to hold up the enemy with bombs until severely wounded. His gallant action held the enemy long enough for the defense of the position to be consolidated. Second Lieutenant Parsons died of his wounds.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire MuseumSoldiers of Gloucestershire Museum
The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum is located within the historic docks in the city of Gloucester. It was originally opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester in 1980 although significantly remodeled in the late '80s and reopened in 1990...
, Gloucester, England.