Peter Duckers, email 10.08.09
Lieut. Commander Arthur Leslie Parkinson RD
Mercantile Marine and Royal Naval Reserve, 1898 - 1920
Born in Collingham, Yorks, on 3rd June 1880.
Father variously a Land Agent and Auctioneer.
Joined the Mercantile Martine service and served at 2nd Officer aboard the Manhattan (Atlantic Steamship Company) during the Boer War (1899-1902) earning the Transport Medal with South Africa clasp. The ship ferried general stores from Britain to Capetown.
Midshipman RNR 10. 10. 1898
1st Cl. Gunnery Cert. June 1906
2nd Cl. Torpdo cert Aug. 1906
Sub. Lieut. RNR 05. 12. 1906
Lieut. RNR 11. 09. 1907
Lt. Commander RNR 11. 09. 1915
Training on HMS Prince George 02. 03. 09 to 08. 03. 1909
May 10th 1911 2nd or 3rd Mate served on Galician for Cape Town
Aug. 17th 1911 2nd or 3rd Mate served on Garth Castle
Training on HMS Hampshire 21. 10. 11 to 03. 11. 1911
Nov. 8th 1911 2nd or 3rd Mate served on Garth Castle for Cape Town
Did 12 mths sea-training on New Zealand.
Served as 2nd Mate of vessels of the Union Castle Line 1911-1914
During WW1, was posted to HMS Hyacinth (Cape Station) on 4th Aug. 1914 and immediately posted as Lt. Commander in command of Torpedo Boat (TB) 060.
Appointed to command HMS Salmander on 12th July 1916.
Salamander was a converted steam whaler, formerly the Krabben.
Served with the East Africa squadron as part of the escort to the monitors Severn and Mersey and took part in operations along the East African coast (e.g. occupation of Tanga); was also used as a minesweeper in these operations.
To Afrikander (naval base, Cape Town) on 27th May 1918.
Gunnery School Excellent, 15th Oct. 1918 : 2nd Cl. Gunnery Cert. Jan. 1919.
Demobilised 15th Jan. 1918.
Retired from RNR 25th Nov. 1922.
Awarded 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory medal for WW1 service
Awarded Royal Naval Reserve Decoration (RD) in 1920.
Master of the Union Castle Line Ipu, July 1919.
After the war, self-employed as a Nurseryman in the St. John’s Nursery, Polegate, Sussex.
Played golf at competition Willingdon.
Lived at The Bungalow, 41, St. John’s Rd., Polegate. Died at that address, 26th May 1960.