Hardy Falconer Parsons was born in Rishton, Lancashire in 1897 and served in the First World War. However, aged just 20 years old, he was killed defending his battalion in August 1917 and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V shortly afterwards. One hundred years later, ceremonies were held in Bristol and his hometown of Rishton to honour him.
I was one of the Rishton Councillors at the time and helped to organise the laying of a commemorative paving stone at the War Memorial. I appeared on BBC Radio Lancashire to discuss the event and extensively researched what little fragments could be found in the archives regarding both Hardy's life and also his family, who we were trying to trace.
Following a series recorded for Hyndburn Borough Council in 2021 on the history of Rhyddings Park, the story of Second Lieutenant Parsons has now been recorded as a brand new audio documentary and can be heard on YouTube and SoundCloud:
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