Luton-born Company Sgt-Major Harry Parks (DCM), P/154, 16th Rifle Brigade, was killed in action near Ypres in Belgium on July 31st, 1917. His home was in London, and he left a widow and six children.

Harry Parks was the son of Andrew and the late Louisa Parks, of 14 Collingdon Street, Luton. He had been raised in Luton and was apprenticed to boot maker and repairer Mr Lane, of Langley Street. He then took up a post at the Brentwood Boys' Home as assistant master to teach the shoemaking trade. Not being satisfied with that, he launched his own repairing business in Camden Town, London.

He married Essex girl Anna Jeannette Rule at Old Street Church, St Pancras, on August 3rd, 1903, and continued to live in London. They had six children - Elise Matilda (born 1904), Harry Edward (1907), Hilda Alice (1909), Constance (1911), Frederick (1913) and Gladys (1916).

Harry was the youngest of three brothers in the Army. He went out to France in February 1916, and about 10 months later was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for leading a company of men over a German trench after the officers were all killed.