Herbert Frank Parkes (1904 - 1969)

Born 12 Oct 1904 in Blackheath, Worcestershire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Constance Margaret (Handford) Parkes — married 1933 in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom

Died 25 Dec 1969 at age 65 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Herbert Frank was born on 12 October 1904 at Black Heath, Staffordshire [as recorded in the 1911 census], the son of George Henry Parkes and Harriet Parkes formerly Eadon. ^[1] His date of birth was recorded in the 1939 Register.

In the 1911 census Herbert was living with his family at 259 Swan Lane, Coventry, Warwickshire. He was aged 6 years. ^[2]

Herbert left England to join his brother Alfred in the United States. He sailed aboard the Athenia on 23 February 1929 from Liverpool and arrived in New York on 6 March 1929. Herbert stated the move was permanent and he would be living with his brother at 1715 Alvin St, Toledo, Ohio. US Immigration records state Herbert was aged 24 years and employed as an automobile mechanic. His physical description said he was 5 feet, 7 inches in height and of fair complexion with fair hair and blue eyes. His next of kin in the UK was stated as his father George Henry Parkes of 278 Swan Lane, Coventry. ^[3]

In the 1930 US census Herbert was living with his paternal uncle Frederick James Parkes and family at 4141 Paulding Ave, Bronx, New York. Aged 25, he was employed as a shipping clerk for a sheet metal company. ^[4]

Herbert returned to the UK to visit his parents in 1931, arriving in Plymouth aboard the President Harding on 2 December 1931. His intended address in the UK was given as 278 Swan Lane, Coventry. ^[5]

On 21 January 1932 he left Southampton, arriving in New York on 30 January 1932, aboard the President Roosevelt. He was returning to live with his uncle Frederick. Herbert was then described as being 5 feet, 7 inches in height and of fair complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. ^[6]

Herbert returned to the UK again in 1932, arriving on 4 May at Southampton. On arrival he returned to live with his parents. ^[7]

Herbert F Parkes married Constance M Handford in 1933 at Coventry. ^[8]

This couple had no known children.

The 1939 Register, taken on 29 September 1939, has been described as a snapshot of the civilian population of England and Wales just after the outbreak of the Second World War. The Register recorded each person's address, date of birth and occupation.
At this time Herbert was living at Lake View Road , Coventry, Warwickshire. The register page has been torn and the street number is missing. Herbert, born 12 October 1904, was aged 34 and working as an aero fitter. It was also noted he was a Special Constable. Also living with him was his cousin Kate E Parkes. Born 21 May 1895, she aged 44. Kate was working as a shop assistant. ^[9]

Constance was not recorded in the Register as she and Herbert's mother Harriet had travelled to the USA, sailing from Southampton on 19 August 1939 and arriving in New York on 27 August 1939, aboard S.S. Georgic. They were there to visit Herbert's brother Alfred G Parkes of 1805 Pilgram Rd, Toledo, Ohio. US Immigration recorded Constance was aged 36 years and her address in the UK was 42 Lake View Rd, Coventry. A physical description stated she was 5 feet, 8 inches in height and of fair complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. ^[10]

Harriet and Constance Parks [sic] returned to the UK aboard the S.S. Washington, arriving in Southampton on 16 October 1939. ^[11]

Herbert and Constance then visited Alfred at the same address in Ohio in 1951. They sailed aboard the Queen Elizabeth, arriving in New York on 5 July. ^[12] They arrived back at Southampton on the same ship on 20 August. Ship records show this couple were then living at 120 Leicester Rd, Loughborough, Leicestershire. Herbert was aged 46 and employed as a tool fitter and Constance was aged 48. ^[13]

Herbert Frank Parkes died in 1969 aged 65 years. ^[14]

From the 1970 Index of Wills and Administrations – PARKES Herbert Frank of 120 Leicester Rd Loughborough died 25 December 1969 Probate Nottingham 16 March. £1559. ^[15]

Herbert's cousin Kate Parkes was also living at this address in 1979 when she died so it is assumed she had lived with Herbert and Constance for many years.

Constance Margaret Parkes died in 2000 aged 97 years. ^[16]

From the 2000 Index of Wills and Administrations – PARKES Constance Margaret. Date of death 7 July 2000. Date of probate 23 August 2000, No. 491132, at Oxford. Grant and will. ^[17]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
   GRO Birth Index
   PARKES, HERBERT FRANK Mother's maiden name EADON
   GRO Reference: 1904 D Quarter in STOURBRIDGE Volume 06C Page 143
2. ↑ 1911 census RG14PN18571 RG78PN1111 RD390 SD2 ED33 SN246
3. ↑ "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24XF-KD2 : 2 March 2021)
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X76W-R2T : accessed 3 September 2021)
5. ↑ The National Archives, Kew. Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and successors: Inwards Passenger Lists.; Class: BT26; Piece: 970
   Also available to view at Ancestry.com. UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
6. ↑ "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24NG-BTH : 2 March 2021)
7. ↑ The National Archives, Kew. Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and successors: Inwards Passenger Lists.; Class: BT26; Piece: 1000
   Also available to view at Ancestry.com. UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
8. ↑ GRO Marriage Index – Jun Qtr 1933/Coventry 6d 1564
9. ↑ 1939 Register RG101/5666E/014/43 Letter Code: QDPJ
10. ↑ "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24LC-FDR : 2 March 2021) - 2 pages
11. ↑ The National Archives, Kew. Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and successors: Inwards Passenger Lists.; Class: BT26; Piece: 1186
    Also available to view at Ancestry.com. UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
12. ↑ "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24BC-7KP : 2 March 2021)
13. ↑ The National Archives, Kew. Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and successors: Inwards Passenger Lists.; Class: BT26; Piece: 1277
    Also available to view at Ancestry.com. UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
14. ↑ GRO Death Index - Dec Qtr 1969/Loughborough 3A 2123 – DOB 12 Oct 1904
15. ↑ https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills
16. ↑ GRO Death Index - July 2000/Leicestershire 6051D D1E 266 – DOB 13 Dec 1902
17. ↑ https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills