Raymond S. Parsons
| Raymond Steriker Parsons was born on 6th December 1880 at Dover. He entered service with the Royal Marines on 15th July 1894 as a Cadet and was posted to the King Edward VII-class battleship HMS Britannia. He remained aboard until disembarking in July 1896. | |||||||
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On 18th August 1896 Raymond was promoted to Midshipman and, from October 1896 until May 1899, served aboard the Edgar-class protected cruiser (first class) HMS Hawke. He was subsequently stationed at the Portland training establishment HMS Boscawen between July and October 1899. From November 1899 until 14th April 1900 he served aboard the Majestic-class battleship HMS Jupiter. Upon disembarking, he was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant the following day and attended college as an Acting Sub-Lieutenant. During this period, on 3rd November 1900, an injury sustained while playing football interrupted his studies. He returned on 22nd January 1901 and passed out of college in September 1901. As a Sub-Lieutenant Raymond re-embarked on HMS Jupiter on 27th September 1901, disembarking on 5th January 1902. The following day he joined the Apollo-class light cruiser HMS Brilliant. While aboard he was “certified fit to take charge of watch at sea as a Lieutenant and to perform efficiently the duties of that rank.” He left HMS Brilliant in July 1903 and later that month was posted to the Duncan-class battleship HMS Montagu. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 26th December 1903 and continued to serve aboard her. On 10th April 1905, as HMS Montagu was due to sail from Plymouth, Raymond went absent without leave and could not be traced. Police enquiries established that he had travelled to London, borrowed £20, and then departed for America. After eventually giving himself up, he was offered the opportunity to resign in order to avoid a Court Martial, but expressed a determination to remain in the service at all costs. He was subsequently tried, penalised by the loss of eighteen months’ seniority, and dismissed from the ship. He remained recorded on HMS Montagu’s books until December 1905. |
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During 1906 Raymond served aboard the Highflyer-class protected cruiser (second class) HMS Hermes, the Pelorus-class protected cruiser (third class) HMS Proserpine, and from 6th November 1906 the King Edward VII-class battleship HMS Africa. On 7th June 1907, with HMS Africa under orders to sail from Portsmouth, Raymond again failed to join his ship. The Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet recorded that “Lt Parsons is of no value as an officer,” and in August 1907 he was "Placed on Retired List (misconduct) absence without leave". Despite this, on 26th December 1911 he was appointed Lieutenant-Commander. Following the outbreak of war Raymond was appointed to the Hood Battalion as a Sub-Lieutenant on 29th September 1914. He married Elsie Brunton later that year, having not accompanied the Royal Naval Division during the Antwerp operations. His temporary commission was subsequently terminated when he was given command of a company, and he reverted to his Royal Navy rank of Lieutenant-Commander. Raymond was killed during the Third Battle of Krithia. Some uncertainty surrounded the precise date of his death before it was ultimately assumed to have occurred on 4th June 1915. He has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial.
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