PARSONS Thomas William

3/1184, Private, No2 Field Ambulance, New Zealand Medical Corps, WW1

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 3 September 1918, p10377

France, April – May 1918.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, while in charge of bearer squads.  Showing great courage, he carried on his work of rescuing wounded, under very heavy fire, at all times and under most difficult conditions.  He set a magnificent example to other bearers

Military Medal

Gazetted 26 April 1917, p3949

On September 16th. During operations on the SOMME he led stretcher parties through heavy shell fire to the Regimental Aid Posts.  He showed great bravery and self-sacrifice and especially on the night of the `6th September when the enemy used lachrymatory and gas shells he worked continuously in the Aid Post dressing wounded when the other bearers had been put out of action by the effects of the gas shells.

Bar to the Military Medal

Gazetted 23 February 1918, p2411

Action in front of BELLE VUE Spur, west of PASSCHENDAELE, on October 12th 1917, and following days. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  On 12th October 1917, during attack on PASSCHENDAELE Ridge, Private T.W. Parsons being in charge of a bearer squad noticed some wounded men lying close up to the enemy's line and under sniper and machine gun fire. With the greatest coolness he rescued these men and noticing others lying in some shell holes returned again and again till he brought them all in. His enemy coolness and devotion to duty was a magnificent example to his squad and enabled many men to be rescued who would have died of exposure. He has repeatedly done meritorious service and in this case in spite of bearers being gassed and wounded he carried on unceasingly. Many men owe their lives to his devotion to duty.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Military Medal and bar

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

NOTES

Born 19 November 1884, England

Died

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT