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Queens South Africa Medal clasps Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill and Wittenbergen named 3602 CPL J PARKIN 16TH LANCERS, Meritorious Service Medal named 2478 R S MJR J PARKIN 1/1 YORK H YEO & Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal named 3602 SQ S MJR J PARKIN 16/LRS. Comes with a 16th Lancers broach.

John Parkin born 1872, and enlisted when he was 21 years old on 14 Jan 1893 at Canterbury into the 16th Lancers. He was 3602 Private, and rose through the ranks to become Squadron Sgt. Major. He served in South Africa from 7 Jan 1900 until 6 Sept 1902 and was at the Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill and Wittenbergen. It was noted as being wounded in action on 30th May 1900 near Pretoria.

While in South Africa he was awarded the Bronze Royal Humane Society medal for saving someone's life in the Burg River in Dec 1901. 3602 Corporal John PARKIN (Bronze; Burg River, Cape Colony, 11/12/1901)
"On the 11th December 1901, Trooper A. Warwick, of the same regiment, was bathing in the Burg River, Cape Colony, when he got into deep water, and, being unable to swim, was in danger of drowning. Parkin, at great risk, went in and, after a struggle, succeeded in saving him"

Hampshire Advertiser, 18th January 1902

AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY.
At its first meeting for the year held on Wednesday in London, the Royal Humane Society made the following awards in service cases: –
Medal to Corporal J. PARKIN, 16th Lancers, for gallantry in rescuing a comrade in 15 feet of water in the Burg River, Cape Colony, on 11th December last.

He was sent back to the UK until 3 Mar 1903 when they were sent out to South Africa until Nov 1904 when the regiment returned to the UK and stayed there. He retired on the 8 Jan 1914 after 21 years of service and awarded his LS&GC (GV) medal.

In WW1, he rejoined on 1 Sept 1914, in the 1/1st Yorkshire Hussars as the Regimental Sgt. Major numbered 2478 and was sent to France on 27 Feb 1915 and renumbered to 330305. Mention in Dispatches three time, in the LG 15 June 1916, 20 Dec 1918 & 5 July 1919; awarded an MSM (GV) LG 1 Jan 1917. He was stationed in France through the war till 26 Feb 1919 when he returned to the UK and was discharged.

Missing Bronze Royal Humane Society Medal, Kings South Africa Medal 2 clasps & 1914/15 Trio (mid). If you know the location of any of his medals, please contact me as I'd like to reunite Parkin's group. Thanks in advance.