Parry, Rev. George Edward Maule
The Rev. G. E. M. Parry, The Bishop of Barking writes: - Thr Rev.George Edward Maule Parry, C.F., was one of four sons of Canon Allen James Parry, till recently Vicar of St. Peter’ s, Upton Cross, and Rural Dean of West Ham. All four were on service, two in the Regular Army. Two have now given their lives for their country, Peter in North Africa in November, 1942, and now George in France. George was educated at Farnfields Preparatory School, Bickley; Weymouth College; King’ s College, London; and he was trained for Holy Orders at Bishop’ s College, Cheshunt. I have watched his career from childhood. At every turn he had amply fulfilled expectations, and I entertained high hopes of him when he began his ministry under Canon Brown, Vicar of St. John’ s, Leytonstone, a masterhand, in 1938.His vicar died on the day that war began and George was severely tested in having to take charge of an important parish while still scarcely fledged. He won the love of the people, as he did some months later when he took charge of a Forest Gate parish, whose vicar was a chaplain to the forces. In 1941 he joined up as a chaplain himself and served for 19 months in West Africa. In 1942 he was transferred to the Parachute Regiment with which he preceeded to the invasion. Already several fine chaplains have lost their lives in France. George Parry adds lustre to their number. The Times, 1 July 1944
London, Tuesday: Answering Sir Herbert Williams, who asked if any statement could be made about the murder of Rev. George Parry, chaplain to the forces, by the Germans in Normandy, Sir James Grigg, Secretary for War, stated in the House of Commons that the matter would be investigated.
Rev. Parry, aged 29, landed in Normandy with the 6th Airborne Division. A war correspondent reported that he was killed with a knife or bayonet while defending helpless wounded men during a German raid on a medical aid post. The Germans set upon the wounded in a frenzied state, shooting and bayoneting them, Rev. Parry threw himself between the Nazis and the wounded troops. The Argus, Melbourne, Wed., 12 July 1944.
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Parry |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Rev. George Edward Maule |
| Date of birth | Feb 1915 |
| Place of birth | Romford |
| Family details | Son of Rev Allen James and Muriel Constance St John Parry of Leytonstone |
| Previous education | Farnfields Preparatory School, Bickley; Weymouth College; |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1933 -1937 |
| Dept / course | Theology |
| Qualifications | A.K.C |
| Military unit | Army Chaplain’ s Department attd 7th Battalion Parachute Regt |
| Service number | 173033 |
| War / conflict | World War Two (1939-1945) |
| Campaigns | West Africa; D-Day landing |
| Date of death | 06/06/1944 |
| Age at death | 29 |
| Rank at death | Captain Chaplain 4th Class |
| Place of death | Calvados, Operation Overlord |
| Cause of death | Murdered |
| Burial place | Benouville Churchyard - Grave 21 |
| Commemoration(s) | King’ s College Chapel |
| Sources | King’ s College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Crockfords Clerical Directory 1930; The Times; The Argus, Melbourne |