Captain Irvine Theodore Parker
Biography of Captain Irvine Theodore Parker
Irvine Theodore Parker graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA in November 1919 and won a Sporting Blue for Cricket in 1913.
Irvine was born in Ayr, Ayrshire on the 26th March 1890 and his father was a wool merchant. Parker took classes such as Logic, Education, Roman Law and then later switched from the Faculty of Arts to Pure Sciences. There he took Chemistry, Natural Philosophy (Physics) and Geography. Parker appears to have done well academically, being awarded a Second-Class certificate in Geography.
Irvine's time at the University was interrupted by war breaking. He enlisted in the Cameron Highlanders in September 1914 and by September 1916 he had received a commission in the field. After this he served with Highland Light Infantry until he was wounded in action in July 1917. It was on the night between the 28th and 29th of July 1917 that Parker was wounded. Parker was placing a 'torpedo', an explosive charge used to remove obstacles, against the enemy barbed wire. As he was doing so the enemy appeared on their flank and although being wounded in the ensuing fire-fight, he 'was the last to withdraw, and personally assisted, under heavy fire, to remove his wounded who were entangled in the enemy wire. By his strenuous efforts and splendid example all the wounded were withdrawn to our lines'.
For these acts of heroism, Parker was awarded the Military Cross. Military Crosses were awarded for bravery in the face of the enemy.
After the war Irvine worked as headmaster for Grange Junior Secondary School in Kilmarnock. Parker appears to have been active in his local community, being awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire, and serving as a Justice of the Peace and with the Kilmarnock Town Council.
During his time at university, Irvine won a Sporting Blues award for cricket in 1913 and was captain of the Glasgow University Cricket Eleven in 1914. He also played for his local club, the Ayr Cricket Club. After the War Irvine continued playing cricket and played two first-class matches for Scotland, in 1920 and 1926, both times against Ireland.
Irvine Theodore Parker died on the 14th May, 1961 in Kilmarnock.
University Connections
WWI Roll of Honour
Summary
Captain Irvine Theodore Parker
Rank: Captain
Regiment: Highland Light Infantry
Degree: MA
Awards: Military Cross
Comments: N/A
Note/Press Clipping: Ch 4/4/2/3/591, 1192, 1195
Photo ID: N/A
Sources
Graduate schedule R4/1/11 (MA) 1918-1919; Register of Date of Birth of Graduate R3/1/2 1916-1920; Matriculation slip R8/5/31/6 1910-1911 Men M-Q;Matriculation slip R8/5/31/6 1910-1911 Men M-Q; Matriculation slip R8/5/33/6 1912-1913 Men M-Q; Glasgow University Calendar 1913-1914 SEN/10/55 Pg590; Ch 4/4/2/3/1192 Newspaper clipping; http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/bangaloretorpedo.htm First World War.com 'Encylopedia-Bangalore Torpedo', Michael Duffy 2009 both Accessed 20/05/2015; Press Clipping Ch 4/4/2/3/1195; http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-biography/?id=320; http://www.greatwar.co.uk/medals/ww1-gallantry-awards.htm#MC The Great War 1914-1918 'A Guide to British Awards for Gallantry or Meritorious Service in WW1' (under section entitled 'Military Cross'. Accessed 27th March 2015); College Courant Obituaries DC174/3/volume 27 1961. Pg 67; http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/margaret-parker-1.115464 The Herald Scotland 'Margaret Parker', lines 9-10 Accessed 15/05/2015; http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/9/9898.html Cricket Archive 'Scotland vs Ireland' (section notes) and http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/11/11979.html Cricket Archive 'Scotland vs Ireland' (section notes) Accessed 14/05/2015.
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