Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

1914 Star (10454 Pte. J. P. Parmenter. 2/High: L.I.) good very fine £140-£180

James P. Parmenter (erroneously listed as John P. Parmenter on his Medal Index Card) was born in Barking, Essex, and attested for the Highland Light Infantry in London. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914, and was killed in action on 11 November 1914. On this date the Battalion was ordered to the North East Corner of Polyglone Wood at 9:00 a.m.- they attacked the rough wood successfully, but had to evacuate the trenches won owing to being shelled by the French. The Battalion War Diary records that ‘“C” Company did some excellent practice on Germans crossing open space between woods and accounted for about 20.’ The Battalion suffered one officer and four other ranks killed, and nine other ranks wounded.

For his gallantry in action that day, Lieutenant Walter Brodie, also of the 2nd Battalion, H.L.I., was awarded the Victoria Cross (London Gazette 12 December 1914), the citation reading:
‘For conspicuous gallantry near Becelaere on the 11th November, in clearing the enemy out of a portion of our trenches which they had succeeded in occupying. Heading the charge, he bayoneted several of the enemy, and thereby relieved a dangerous situation. As a result of Lieutenant Brodie’s promptitude, 80 of the enemy were killed and 51 taken prisoners.’

Parmenter has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

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