OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22336, 25 February 1938, Page 14

OBITUARY

♦ MR- W. H. PARKER Mr Wilfred Henry Parker, a native of Christchurch, died suddenly at Cambridge, England, on January 11, after three months of ill-health, at the age of 49. He had been Director of the National Institute of Agricultural Bdtany for 18 years. An obituary notice published in “The Times” stated:— "Born at Christchurch, New Zealand, he was the only surviving child of the Hon. Edmund Parker, and grandson of the sixth Earl of Macclesfield. Educated at Lancing and Trinity College, Cambridge, he showed early promise as an all-round athlete and sportsman, and represented his university against Oxford at cross-country running. He hunted in Warwickshire and with the Fitzwilliam, followed the Trinity Foot Beagles, and was a member of the C.U.L.T.C. and of the Trinity VI. “In 1913 he married Audrey Peareth, daughter of Alderman T. R. Vickers, of Coventry. He was then Scientific Assistant to Sir Rowland Biffen at the School of Agriculture, Cambridge, and became Director of Agricultural Studies at Trinity College. In 1915 he enlisted in the H.A.C., and later was gazetted to the 11th Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment, with which unit he was awarded the Military Cross after the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He was sent as an instructor in sniping with the 2nd British Military Mission to the United States in 1917-18. He remained in close touch with his old battalion, and was an officer of the local branch of the British Legion. He was also Assistant County Director of the British Red Cross Society. His characteristic zeal and efficiency made him a recognised authority on ,his own professional subject, and brought him into consultation with the Ministry and with the seed trade, and at conferences abroad. “It is, however, as a sportsman in the true sense of the word that he will be remembered by his wide circle of friends of all ranks. As a shooting companion he was ideal. The size of the bag never counted with him; indeed he preferred duck-flighting—so often unsuccessful —to any other form of shooting, although he could hold his own with the best team of guns partridge driving. He had a wonderful way with dogs, and his spaniels were the envy of most people; while to himself they afforded more than half the pleasure of the day’s shooting. He was keen on everything he took up, and his interests were wide. He was a strong swimmer, an excellent bridge player, and a born naturalist. Latterly he devoted much of his leisure to golf, and could always be relied upon to turn out in the vilest weather. His great charm of manner, wise counsel, courage, sympathy, and sense of humour made him beloved by all who knew him. He leaves a widow and one son, Michael.” *