King Edward’s School and the Great War

Memorial Roll of Honour 1914 - 1918

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Parsons, Beresford Frank

Second Lieutenant ▪ Royal Flying Corps

Beresford Frank Parsons, born on 18th March 1892 and known as ‘Frank’, was admitted to King Edward’s School in September 1905, having transferred from Solihull School. He lived with his parents, Louise and Frank, an architect, and his older brother, Harold, on Church Road, Yardley.

There is no mention of Frank’s extra-curricular activities at School, and although he did not excel academically he performed well in science and French. After leaving School, Frank furthered his education at Birmingham Technical School, where he studied several subjects including chemistry, heat, light and sound, machine construction and design, and mechanical and gas engineering.

In 1914, Frank enlisted as a Private Soldier in the 6th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and spent 13 months in France. In 1916, he was gazetted to the Royal Flying Corps as a Second Lieutenant, and on 23rd January 1917 was killed in a flying accident at Charlton Park, Malmesbury, aged twenty-four. He was given a full military funeral at Yardley Cemetery, his coffin draped with a Union Jack and carried aboard an RFC motor-wagon with his cap and Sam Browne belt. One of the wreaths laid was in the shape of a model aeroplane. Frank left his estate of £439 to his parents.