219299 John Robert "Shoeingsmith Parker" Holmes British Army Royal Field Artillery from:Newcastle on Tyne (d.14th Oct 1916) Johns Death Notice in the Newcastle Upon Tyne Chronicle from Sat 14th Oct 1916 reads;
Holmes, died suddenly on the 13th. John better known as "Shoeingsmith Parker" RFA. Served with the BEF of 1914. Cortege will leave 30 Wellington St at 2.45 Sunday the 15th.
The Death Notice above may have been entered by John's Brother, Joseph Henry Holmes who was serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers at the time. Joseph was obviously quite proud of the fact that John had been with the BEF. His Parents, John Robert and Jane Anne died in 1890 & 1899 respectively.
John Robert Holmes originally enlisted with the Northumberland Fusiliers on 27th August 1894 before joining the East Yorks Regiment two days later. He was convicted by the civil court in Dublin of a felony on 19th October 1894 and Discharged from the Army because of this on 1st December 1894. Maybe because of his discharge he re-enlisted under the name Parker. There are no records I can find for John Robert Holmes joining the RFA but I do have records of his previous service.
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