Current Information:

Age-17

 52, Lodge Lane, North Finchley

St Symphorien Military Cemetery, Belgium

The 4th Middlesex battalion of 8 Brigade, 3rd Division arrived in France on 14th August, 1914 and, with the rest of the BEF, made their way eastwards to confront the invading German army which they were to meet on 23rd August in the Battle of Mons. On 21st August, 8 Brigade formed the vanguard of the BEF as it moved through Maubeuge to Bettignies, arriving at 1pm after a fifteen mile march. 4th Middlesex formed part of the outpost line and it was here that John Parr, a seventeen year old battalion cyclist, was killed thereby gaining the unenviable distinction of being the first British soldier to be killed in the war. The circumstances of his death are not known but it is thought that he was scouting ahead on his bicycle when he met German cavalry.