Albert (Bert) Edward Parker was the third son of John and Martha Parker and born in Rangiora in 1890. Albert was named after Prince Albert. He went to school in Rangiora and Richmond, Christchurch. When Albert enlisted he was 24yr and working as a carpenter in Methven, South Canterbury. His records show he was 5feet 5inches tall, had a fresh complexion with hazel eyes. He also had a heart, anchor and coat of arms tattooed on his right forearm and a butterfly on his left forearm. The butterfly tattoo is still remembered by his descendants.
His mother Martha never wanted him to go to war, one of her other sons had and no doubt she felt, like a lot Mothers, that was enough.
Albert (service # 24/218) embarked in Wellington on 31 May 1916 and was posted to the Second Canterbury Company Sling on July 28 1916. Albert served in battlefield after battlefield during the war for nearly two years until it became unbearable. He finally walked away and went to Ireland (his Mother’s birthplace) where for four months he found work in the shipyards under an assumed name. He was discovered in May 1918 and returned to NZ.
Albert married Ida Lewis in the Avonside Church and went on to have a family of two boys and three girls. At one time Albert worked at the Tip Top Ice Cream factory which the family loved as he often came home with chocolate bon bon ice creams for everyone. Towards the end of his working life he was employed by Coach Life, building caravans; and many happy holidays were spent camping at beaches and rivers around Christchurch.
Albert died aged 73 in Christchurch 27 October 1963, followed by Ida his wife, three months later on 7 January 1964 aged 69. Both are together at the Ruru Lawn Cemetery.
Albert’s name is recorded on the Richmond School Roll of Honour.