Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Parker, Claude Tasman

Born 15^th March 1883 Campbell Town Tasmania the son of Alexander Tasman and Esther Anne Parker (nee Headlam) and married to Nellie Harriett Agnes Propsting, a clerk he embarked Melbourne 30^th September 1916 on board “HMAT Palermo” with the 12^th Infantry Battalion.

He was killed in action 5^th May 1917 at Bullecourt France and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Villers-Bretonneux.

Mrs. Claude Parker 97 Murray Street Hobart is in receipt of a letter from Lieutenant A. L. Wardlaw from which the following extract is taken in reference to the death of her late husband, Private Claude Tasman Parker :

I did not know Claude had joined the battalion until I noticed him fighting away by my side. It was in the Bullecourt stunt, and the 11th and 12th were holding part of the Hindenburg line, with the Huns on three sides of us. Our "bombers" had bombed down a German sap and I occupied it with a few men and sent to the O.C. for reinforcements. Claude "was one of these. We hung on to the new position for about half an hour when we were shelled out with "whiz-bangs" and had to withdraw to the old position about 50 yards up the trench. Claude and Charlie Eastman who were alongside me were wounded but were able to walk back. On the way back Claude was again wounded, this time rather severely, in the arm and leg. I stayed with him and held him while the stretcher-bearers dressed his wounds. Claude recognised me and gave me these messages. . . . Lieutenant Wardlaw then goes on to say:-Although badly wounded, I was sure he would have pulled through but about half an hour afterwards one of the stretcher bearers came back and said that a German shell had killed both Claude and his mate. The Huns had killed dozens of our stretcher-bearers whilst carrying wounded. Claude could have shot two German stretcher-bearers just before he was wounded, but spared them. I know you will find comfort in the knowledge that your husband died a hero's death. He was splendid. His noble example will never be forgotten. I am proud to have known him, and pray that God will comfort his sorrowing wife and mother.

The Mercury 18^th September 1917

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.