Service History of
Lieutenant-Colonel Harold “Polly” Parrott M.B.E.

Research by Irv Mortenson
rev: 27 July 2010
*L/Mil/14/50033

PROLOGUE:
The Parrott family had strong military ties. Harold Parrott’s father, Patrick Parrott. served more than 22 years with the Colours, retiring late in 1896 as a Sergeant Major of the Somerset Light Infantry. His mother, Martha (née Knox) Parrott was an Irishwoman from Belturbet, County Cavan, who married Patrick in 1884 and would bear him a daughter, and five sons - two who serve d in the Royal Navy, and two in the Army. This Service History is the story of the second youngest boy - Harold Parrott.

05.04.1891	The 1891 Census for England found Patrick Parrott (33), a Q.M. Sergeant with the Somerset L.I., his wife Martha Parrott (27), along with their sons William (4) born in Dublin, Ireland, Hugh Edward (2) born at Colchester, Edmond [sic - Alfred] (10 months) born at Taunton, Somerset.

02.09.1892	Harold Parrott was born at Gibraltar on 2 September 1892.

xx.09.1897	Mary Martha  Parrott (Harold Parrott’s sister) birth was recorded in the September Quarter of 1897 Birth Records of the Chorlton District - Volume 8c, Page 936.

31.03.1901	The 1901 Census for England found Patrick Parrott (43), an Insurance Agent, his wife Martha Parrott (37), along with their sons William (14) a shipping clerk, Hugh (12), Albert [sic - Alfred] (10), Harold Parrott (8), and a daughter Mary M[artha] Parrott (3), all living at 34 MacKenzie Street, Everton, Liverpool, Lancashire.

17.02.1909	Harold Parrott enlisted twice - the first time was in the 4th East Lancashire Regiment (T.F.) as No 624. Harold was 17years and 5 months old when he enlisted at Darwen, Lancashire. on the 17th of February 1909.  His birthplace is shown as Liverpool. Not a large boy, he stood just 5feet 3inches tall,  had a 33 inch chest, and was employed as a weaver at Mister Thompson’s Commercial Cotton Mills, 102 Duckworth Street. Private Harold Parrott did his preliminary training from 17th February 1909 until 4th May 1909. He was shortly thereafter discharged as he had gained a special reservist slot in the 3rd East Lancashire Regiment of Militia on the 10th of May 1909.

15.11.1909	His second attestation was in the 1st King’s Liverpool Regiment as No 10760 on the 15th of November 1909 at Blackburn. Parrott stated he was a member of the 3rd East Lancashire Regiment. He was 18 years and 2 months old, weighed 134 pounds, had a 36inch chest, stood 5feet and 4¼ inches tall, a fresh complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair, was Church of England, and had a distinctive mole in the centre of his forehead.. His next-of-kin were his  father Patrick and mother Martha of 102 Duckworth Street, Darwen, Lancashire. His other brothers were William, and Edward , both in the Royal Navy; and Albert, who was  serving in the Liverpool Regiment.

21.03.1910	Private Harold Parrott, perhaps deciding that the Liverpools weren’t his cup of tea, Private Parrott transferred to the 1st Somerset L.I. as No 8944 per the authority of the General Officer Commanding 17th Infantry Brigade per A/4737/3 on the 21st of March 1910.

23.06.1910	Parrott was appointed an Unpaid Lance-Corporal from  23 June 1910 . As some point in his military career, he gained a nickname, and became known as “Polly” Parrott.

02.04.1911	The 1911 Census for England found Patrick Parrott (53), an Army Pensioner, his wife Martha Parrott (48), and their daughter Mary M. Parrott (14) living at 102 Duckworth Street, Darwen, Lancashire.

10.06.1911	Parrott was promoted to Paid Lance-Corporal on 10th June 1911.

08.09.1911	Lance-Corporal Harold Parrott transferred to the 2nd Somerset LI, embarked with his battalion for Tientsin, China, where they were part of an international peacekeeping force during the Chinese Revolution (1911-12) protecting British and other foreign residents and interests.

22.10.1913	The 2nd Somerset LI , and Lance-Corporal Parrott embarked for India on the 22nd of October 1913 aboard the H.T. Rohilla., and disembarked on 21 November 1913 and to station at Quetta.

11.10.1914	Parrott was promoted to Corporal on 11 October 1914.

07.02.1916	Corporal Parrott was appointed as an Unpaid Lance-Sergeant on 7 February 1916 .

xx.06.1916	Patrick Parrott (Harold Parrott’s father) passed away at the age of 56. His death was recorded in the June Quarter of 1916 Death Records of the Blackburn District - Volume 8c, Page 581.

03.08.1916	Parrott was promoted to Paid Lance-Sergeant on 3 August 1916.

26.08.1916	Lance-Sergeant Parrott was promoted to Sergeant on the 26th of August 1916.

20.12.1917	Parrott was awarded a Sergeant Cook’s Certificate by the Army School of Cookery, per the W.O. 20th December 1917.

07.05.1919	Sergeant Parrott served on the Northwest Frontier from 7 May 1919 to the 14th of November 1919 with the 2nd Somerset LI, and was subsequently issued a General Service Medal with the clasp for Afghanistan 1919.
07.11.1919	Parrott was appointed to the India Unattached list on 7th November 1919, and was administratively transferred to the 2nd Devon Regiment, on the 29th of November 1919 per the Authority of the G.O.C. - this action was taken in lieu of his going to Palestine in October of 1919 with the 2nd Somerset LI. He  was formally posted to the 2nd Devonshire Regiment  on 1 January 1920 as No 01986 .

01.04.1920	1st April 1920 - Sergeant H. Parrott. Employed as a clerk to D.A.D.O.S. 51st Division. “A very willing and reliable clerk, fit for general service. Confirmation in present appointment strongly recommended.” Signed by E.E. Mills, Major RAOC.

xx.12.1920	Martha  Parrott (Harold Parrott’s mother) passed away at the age of 56. Her death was recorded in the December Quarter of 1920 Death Records of the Stockport District - Volume 8a, Page 116.

01.04.1921	1st April 1921 - Sergeant H. Parrott. Employed as a staff clerk, Peshawar Division . “Sober and reliable, has the making of a good all round Ordnance NCO or WO, a hard worker.” Signed by E.E. Mills, Major RAOC.

26.04.1921	Parrott transferred back to the Somerset LI on 26th of April 1921 to serve with the 3rd Battalion as No 5610259 .

12.01.1922	Parrott gained his First Class Certificate of Education on 12 January 1922.

01.04.1922	1st April 1922 - Sergeant H. Parrott. Employed as a clerk at Peshawar District Headquarters. “Temperate, a most reliable and able NCO with every qualification for a first class WO. Strongly recommended for promotion to next higher grade.” Signed by E. E. Mills, Major RAOC

15.04.1922	Sergeant Parrott re-engaged in the service on 15th of April 1922. 

07.11.1922	Parrott was promoted to Staff Sergeant on 7 November 1922.

01.04.1923	1st April 1923 - Staff Sergeant H. Parrott was employed as a clerk in the office of D.A.D.O.S., Peshawar District. “Very good, temperate, reliable and capable NCO, recommended for promotion. I have no means of forming an opinion of his knowledge of Arsenal work.” Signed by Captain B. Sanders.

22.08.1923	Staff Sergeant Parrott promoted to Sub-Conductor on 22 August 1923, per the Gazette of India Instruction No. 1269 of 14th September 1923.

01.04.1924	1st April 1924: Sub-Conductor H. Parrott. Age 32, 15 years service, who had joined the India Unattached List on 7th of November 1919. Sub-Conductor as of 22nd August 1923. Employed as a clerk in the office of D.A.D.O.S., Peshawar District. “An excellent lead clerk, hardworking, sober and trustworthy. A man of intelligence with a thorough knowledge of his duties of his present position. Recommended for continuation in his present appointment.”

01.06.1924	Parrott on home leave in the United Kingdom from 1 June 1924 to 31 May 1925.

08.05.1925	 Sub-Conductor Parrott embarked once again for India on the 8th of May 1925 aboard the S.S. Maloja, and disembarked at Bombay on 29th May 1925.

31.03.1925	31st March 1925 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott On leave ex India from 1st June 1924 to 31st May 1925, hence no confidential report for year.

31.03.1926	31st March 1926 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Serving at Ferozepore Arsenal, report submitted to D.E.O.S., Simla. “Exemplary character, good temperament, sober, industrious but not brilliant, fit.”

11.03.1927	11th March 1927 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Stationed at Ferozepore Arsenal, W.O. i/c Ordnance Dump at Razmah. “Has been away at Razmah for the past year- from what I have seen of his work he has done well, fit for charge of a minor group. Exemplary character, good temperament, sober, useful, fit.”- Qualified for promotion in due course.

13.03.1928	13th March 1928 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Stationed at Ferozepore Arsenal, Storeholder ‘C Group.’  “An efficient W.O.. Exemplary character, good temperament, sober, useful, fit. Qualified and recommended for promotion.”

15.11.1928	Parrott was awarded a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal per Indian A.O. 275 of 1928.

11.03.1929	11th March 1929 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott  Stationed at Lahore Cantonment, in charge of P&S and workshops. “A very efficient and reliable W.O., possesses initiative and resources and is very conscientious in the performance of his duties. Exemplary character, very good temperament, sober, very useful, fit.”- Qualified and recommended for promotion. Major H.M. Hill

18.11.1929	Parrott on Privileged Leave from the 18th of November 1929 to the 4th of February 1930 (79 days).

17.03.1930	17th March 1930 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Stationed at Lahore Cantonment, in charge of P&S and workshops.“A very reliable and efficient W.O. Exemplary character, good temperament, sober, very useful, fit.”  Captain G.A. Murray.

22.11.1930	22nd November 1930 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Stationed at Lahore Cantonment, in charge of P&S and workshops. “Exemplary character, good temperament, sober, useful, fit.” 

01.04.1931	1st April 1931 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Stationed at Ordnance Depot, Lahore, in charge of P&S and workshops. “A capable W.O. who works well and runs his group very efficiently. Exemplary character, even temperament, sober, very useful, fit.” 

03.07.1931	Parrott on Anti-gas Training at Belgaum from 3 July 1931 to 23 July 1931.

15.11.1931	Parrott on combined leave to the United Kingdom from 15 November 1931 to the 18th of December 1932. (1 year 34 days).

01.04.1932	1st April 1932 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Storeholder P&S Group, Lahore (from 1st April 1931 to 14th November 1931) “Has done exceedingly good work during the past year. He is a trustworthy and capable W.O. and a hard worker. Exemplary character, even temperament, sober, very useful, fit.”- On leave in the U.K.

31.03.1933	31st March 1933 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Rangoon Arsenal, Maingaladon Cantonment. “Joined from leave in the UK on 19th of December 1932. An energetic and capable W.O.. Has done good work in charge of the group. Exemplary character, good temperament, sober, very useful, fit.”  Remarks of Captain A.H. Craine, A.D.O.S.E.C.- “Struck me as keen and efficient, but only 6 weeks in group.”

 06.04.1934	6th April 1934 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Rangoon Arsenal, Storeholder P.M.T.C. from 1st April 1933 to 2nd May 1933, i/c T.M.C. from 3rd May 1933 to 31st March 1934. “A hard working and painstaking storeholder and has done good work, his attitude towards his subordinates and superiors is correct. He possesses initiative and carefully instructs all working under him.. Exemplary character, good temperament, sober, very useful, fit. Promote in due course.” Captain A.H. Craine.

14.01.1935	14th January 1935 - Sub-Conductor H. Parrott Rangoon Arsenal, Storeholder T.M.C. from 1st April 1934 to 18th January 1935. “A hard working, painstaking and reliable W.O. who possesses initiative and has done good work as storeholder. Well up to all Ordnance matters and I consider him above the average. Exemplary character, good temperament, sober, very useful, fit. I do not consider that he has reached his limit for promotion.” Captain A.H. Craine

xx.xx.1935	Parrott was awarded a Jubilee medal of 1935.

07.11.1935	Parrott was promoted to Conductor on 7th November 1935 per the Gazette of India No.768, December 1935.

28.12.1935	28th December 1935 - Conductor H. Parrott Landi Kotal Brigade. “Employed as Brigade Ordnance W.O., Landi Kotal Brigade. Has performed his duties in the period under review in an entirely satisfactory manner. He has shown keenness, intelligence, sound knowledge and strength of character. He is very well suited for the work in which he is employed and is very helpful to the units of the Brigade. A good all round W.O. who is well up to average. Exemplary character, equable temperament, sober, very useful, fit. Fit for promotion to the rank of Lt. (A.C.). Promotion in due course.”

25.09.1936	25th September 1936 - Letter written by Lieut.- Colonel Montgomery, O.C. Allahabad Brigade Area: “I have had a personal interview with Conductor H. Parrott I.A.O.C. and have examined his record of service, military qualifications and records of character. I consider his character and military records are up to the standard of a King’s Commissioned Officer and he is generally eligible for a commission. He is in possession of a 1st Class Certificate of Education. I therefore recommend him for promotion to Departmental Officer.”

01.04.1937	1st April 1937 - Conductor H. Parrott Headquarters - Landi Kotal Brigade, “Proceeded on 3 months leave to the UK from 13th June 1936. Up to that date Brigade Ordnance W.O. Landi Kotal Brigade. A hard-working, sound and conscientious W.O. who has given every satisfaction. General aptitude and ability is excellent and was most popular with all he worked with. Exemplary character, even temperament, sober, very useful, fit.”

31.03.1938	31st March 1938 - Conductor H. Parrott. Next of Kin - Mary Parrott, sister. Age 46. Allahabad - In charge of I.B.O.O.3 and Group Officer for Science and Mob. “A very capable W.O. of ability above average and fitted in every respect for early promotion to Lt. (A.C.) and retention in the service.”

15.06.1938	Harold Parrott, bachelor, married Dorothy Stuart on the 15th of June 1938 at the Registry Office, Allahabad. Dorothy had a daughter by a previous marriage who became Harold’s step daughter in the shape of Dorothy Alice Stuart, born 3rd August 1920 at Christchurch, Simla, India.

06.02.1939	6th February 1939 - Conductor H. Parrott Allahabad - Officer i/c I.B., C.R. and Lib, Group Officer Science and Mob. Next of kin - Mrs. Dorothy Parrott (wife). Age 47. “An excellent W.O., is keen to progress and a most valuable asset to ordnance. Fitted in all respects for retention in the service.” - signed by Major A. Graham.

A sub-note states: “Due to the shortage of D.S. and Department Officers in this Arsenal, Conductor Parrott has been performing the duties of Group Officer for some months past. His work has been of a high standard. In my view he is above average in general ability and is fitted in every respect for early promotion to Lieutenant. (A.C.).”

12.04.1939	Parrott was commissioned as a Lieutenant and Assistant Commissary on 12th April 1939 - Gazette of India No.589, 13th May 1939. 

23.02.1940	23rd February 1940 - Lieutenant (Assistant Commissary) Harold Parrott - Lahore Cantonment - employed as a Group Officer. “This officer has an excellent knowledge of his duties and possesses tact and initiative. His attitude towards his superiors and subordinates is correct, is of temperate habits, has good powers of command and is a reliable officer of average ability. A very willing worker.”

15.09.1940	Lieutenant Parrott served in the Sudan from 15 September 1940. Held the appointment of Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services (Personnel) as an Acting-Major from 31st January 1941 to 1st November 1941 with  No1 B.O.D.,[Base Ordnance Depot] thus qualifying for the 1939-45 Star, and perhaps an Africa Star. 

17.11.1941	Parrott sailed to return to India.

27.11.1941	Parrott disembarked at Bombay on the 27th of November 1941, and went on War Leave from the 27th of  November 1941 to the 27th of December 1941.

12.12.1941	Parrott was appointed as a Temporary Captain from 12 December 1941 until 2 March 1942.

27.01.1942	27th January 1942 - Acting Temporary-Captain H. Parrott Central Ordnance Depot, Delhi Cantonment. Acting Captain O.O. from 28th December 1941. Had held the appointment of D.A.D.O.S. (P) Sudan in the rank of Acting-Major from 31st January 1941 to 1st November 1941. “Fit for Major’s appointment now, has held the rank of Major in the Sudan for approximately 9 months.”

03.03.1942	Parrott appointed an Acting Captain from 3 March 1942 on his transfer to the Central Ordnance Depot, Cawnpore where he served as as the Local Provision Officer.

27.04.1942	Parrott was transferred as the O.S.D. Jubbulpore Depot on the 27th of April 1942.

25.07.1942	Parrott appointed as an Acting-Major from 25th July 1942 to serve as Deputy Commissary Ordnance Officer, Jubbulpore Depot. 

29.07.1942	29th July 1942 - Acting Temporary-Captain H. Parrott, Central Ordnance Depot, Cawnpore. Local Provision Officer from 3rd March 1942. Anti-gas training, qualified at School of Instruction, Belgaum. “Was employed here as Ordnance Officer and he has since been appointed D.C.O.O. Jubbulpore Depot. Thoroughly reliable and well-fitted to fill a Major’s appointment.” [This is the last confidential report in the file]

02.06.1943	Major Harold Parrott was gazetted a Member of the Military Division of the Excellent Order of the British Empire in the 	     Supplement to The London Gazette of 2 June 1943, page 2429.

25.06.1943	Parrott was transferred to M.G.O.B. at G.H.Q. New Delhi as D.A.D.O.S. on the 25th of June 1943.

14.01.1944	Parrott served as D.A.D.O.S. , B.I.A.O.C. at G.H.Q. Southern Army Ordnance Depot, 14th January 1944 to 12th December 1944.

14.08.1944	Parrott on War Leave from the 14th of August 1944 to the 10th September 1944.

04.11.1944	Parrott appointed as an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel from the 4th of November 1944.

13.12.1944	Lieut-Colonel Parrott served as D.A.D.O.S. (Personnel), B.I.A.O.C. H.Q. Southern Army from 13 December 1944 until 31 May 1945.

31.05.1945	Parrott was granted 91 days of leave prior to retirement, to begin on 1st June 1945. Released in India on 31st August 1945. There is a letter in the file to the Pensions Office dated 6th of June 1946 stating that he had retired from service on 1st of June 1946. The address is c/o Poona Club Ltd, 6 Bund Garden Road, Poona. Age at pension date of 53 years, 11months and 16 days.

15.08.1947	With the partition of India and Pakistan, and the subsequent upheavals, Harold Parrott and his family left India, as did thousands and thousands of other British citizens. Many of those displaced chose to return to the United Kingdom, others chose to move to other colonies in the British Commonwealth. The Parrotts relocated to Southern Rhodesia.

12.02.1953	Harold Parrott died at Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia on 12 February 1953 at the age of 60.  What became of his wife and stepdaughter is not known.

* Approximately 300 pages of documents in two binders in the British Library. File is contained in a manila outer folder which in total is about an inch thick.

	Nine to: Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Parrott, MBE, and a group of four miniature medals as worn pre-1930
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, MBE, 2nd Type (Military), and case of issue, to:
	Unnamed as Issued
British War Medal, to:
	8944 PTE. H. PARROTT. SOM. L.I.
India General Service Medal of 1908, clasp: AFGHANISTAN  N.W.F. 1919, to:
	8994 SGT. H. PARROTT, 2 BN. SOM. L.I.
1939-1945 Star, to:
	Unnamed as Issued
Africa Star, to:
	Unnamed as Issued
War Medal 1939-1945, to:
	Unnamed as Issued

India Service Medal 1939-1945, to:
	Unnamed as Issued
Silver Jubilee Medal of 1935, to:
	Unnamed as Issued
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GV ) fixed suspender, to:
	S-CONDR. H. PARROTT, I.A.O.C.
Columbarium Plaque in sterling silver, engraved:
In Loving Memory of Polly
Ashes of the late
Major H. Parrott M.B.E.
Born, Gibraltar 3rd Sept. 1892.
Died, Bulawayo S.R. 12th Feb. 1953.
A loyal soldier
a faithful and loving husband.
They do not die, the ones we dearly love
and by their love
we surely find our lives are blest.

		File:	Born at Gibraltar on 3 September 1892
			Died at Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia 12 February 1953
			1881 and 1891 and  1911 British Census details (parents)
			1901 British Census details
			Medal Index Card (2 sides)
			Medal Roll details (WO.100/16/473) for IGS-1908
			British War Medal Roll details
			To India Unattached List on 17 November 1919
			Long Service & Good Conduct Medal per Indian A.O. 275 of 1928
			Papers in the British Library (L/Mil/14/50033) 9 pages of transcribed details on Parrott’s service
			War Diary June - December 1941 (WO.169/3721) for 1st Base Ordnance Depot
			Member of the Military Division of the Excellent Order of the British Empire
			     Supplement to The London Gazette of 2 June 1943, page 2429:
				Captain (temporary Major) Harold Parrott, Indian Army Ordnance Corps
			Commissioned service details from various Army Lists
				Lieutenant & Deputy Commissary from Conductor on 12 April 1939
				Acting Captain 15 May 1940 to 14 August 1940
				Temporary Captain 15 August 1940 to 16 February 1944
				Acting Major 30 January 1941 to 29 April 1941
				Temporary Major 30 April 1941 to 17 November 1941
				Captain & Deputy Commissary 17 February 1944
			Served:	4th East Lancashire Regiment (T.F.), as No 624
				3rd East Lancashire Regiment of Militia as a Special Reservist
				1st King’s Liverpool Regiment as No 10760  
				1st Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert’s) as No 8944
				2nd Devonshire Regiment as No 01986 
				2nd Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert’s) as No 5610259
				India Unattached List as Sub-Conductor and Conductor
				Indian Army Ordnance Corps as Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Lieutenant-Colonel