FUNERAL OF MR H PARKER

Father of a Lincoln councillor

Mr Henry Parker of 219, Wragby Road, Lincoln, who died at the home of his daughter at Sheffield, was buried there today.

Coun. W Parker, of Lincoln, is his youngest son.

Mr Parker has had a very eventful life. He was born at Salop 74 years ago, and in his early youth he was an apprentice in an old windjammer. He crossed the Atlantic many times when the journey occupied weeks instead of days.

FIGHT FOR LIFE

Mr Parker has travelled to many parts of the world and spent a great deal of time on the east coast of Africa.

He claimed to be one of the first men to bring bananas into England, and he would often talk about the time when he first saw them, tasted them, and found how nice they were.

He has had many exciting adventures, including attack by a crocodile while crossing a river, and attack by a native armed with a knife.

There was a fierce struggle, in which Mr Parker received a knife thrust just under the heart. He recovered from his wound, but always had a scar to remind him of his narrow escape.

Mr Parker later joined the Manchester Fire Brigade and rose to the rank of third officer.

He was awarded a certificate for bravery in saving life at a fire in the city. One of his sons is chief officer of Wilmslow Fire Brigade.

Mr Parker, who celebrates his golden wedding on December 10th, had a number of other interesting things to tell a "Chronicle" reporter who paid a visit to him this week, for in his youth he sailed nearly all over the world in an old wind-jammer, and has had many exciting experiences - in which crocodiles and cannibals have figured prominently - in addition to adventures on the high seas.

Mr Parker, who is in his 71st year, is a native of Shrewsbury, and at the age of 13 he joined a barque at Fleetwood, and served his apprenticeship on it. He retains a great love for those sailing ships, and deeply regrets their passing. He laughed when asked how long it took to cross the Atlantic in those days. "Thirty days, perhaps sixty if the weather was bad," he said, "and they can do it in five days now. But there is nothing like sailing ships on longer voyages for comfort and interest. Some were good and some were bad. Of course, I've been on boats that were like hell upon earth, but I've been on others that were just the opposite."

One Nigger Less

Mr Parker, on one occasion, had a narrow escape from providing a meal for a crocodile. It was while his ship was at Old Calabar on the African Coast. In defiance to orders, he and one or two other members of the crew were swimming near the ship when they were seen by the Captain. He at once shouted to them to come in. They all obeyed immediately, with the exception of a negro member of the crew. Five seconds after they had set foot on the deck, a crocodile made its appearance, and before the negro could reach the ship, it gave just one hearty bite, and there was a vacancy in the crew of one negro, preferably one with a strong (...) to swimming.

It was while on the African Coast that Henry Parker met many cannibals. These engaging individuals would come up to one and press one's arm critically with index finger and thumb. Then their faces would break out into huge grins and they would exclaimed, "Good for chop-chop," which really means "You'd make a very tender joint old man, if properly cooked."

Plenty Chop-Chop.

Their favourite diversion, said Mr Parker, was to make war on a neighbouring village. Starting the proceedings with a dance, to get themselves in the right spirit, they would descend on their neighbours, taking them by surprise if possible. The object of the raid was to take as many persons as possible, but, as can be imagined there was small chance of wizened, tough old natives being taken back. When a good haul had been made, they would go home again, and the real fun of the evening would commence. There would be music and dancing and "chop-chop" in plenty, until not a single prisoner was left. One cannot help thinking, however, how awkward it would be if a hitch occurred, and it was the neighbouring villages who enjoyed the "chop-chop" after the fray.

Fell 120 Feet

On one occasion, Mr Parker fell from the top-gallant mast, into the sea, a drop of 120 feet. Fortunately the ship was moving slowly at the time, and he was picked up by the crew.

Mrs Parker (nee Elizabeth Wilson) who is now in her 69th year, comes from Fleetwood, and it was while there between his voyages that Mr Parker met her. They were married on December 10th 1877, and Mr Parker shortly after joined Manchester Fire Brigade. Incidentally, a week after he had left the sea, his old ship was run down by a liner near Eddystone Lighthouse, and ten members of the crew of 14 were drowned.

Mr Parker rose from the ranks in the Fire Brigade to the position of third officer. He then retired and he and Mrs Parker went to live at Blackpool. About three years ago, however, they came to Lincoln to live near the youngest son, Mr Parker, of the new Lincoln motor firm, Messrs Parker, Taylor and Co.

They have three daughters, who are living in America, London and Sheffield respectively, and one son is an officer in the Manchester Fire Brigade, while the last was reported missing during the war. There are eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.