THIS week we remember two soldiers from Feckenham who died as a result of injuries from fighting in the Great War 100 years ago this week.
Enoch Parker was born in late 1886 in Feckenham one of 15 children born to Joshua and Emma Parker, nine of whom survived infancy.
His father was a farmer and his mother a grocer. Enoch worked as a groom but prior to enlisting he was in a farming partnership with his brothers in Feckenham.
He served as Private 35095 Ernest Parker in the 2nd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment.
As detailed last week, the 2nd Worcs suffered heavy losses in the attack towards Fontaine-les-Croisilles, north west of Cambrai, losing close to half their strength in dead, wounded and missing.
It is likely that Enoch, who had only been in the army for 12 months, was one of the wounded.
He died on May 27, 1917, and is buried in Sunken Road Cemetery, near the village of Boisleux St Marc, about five miles from the town of Croisilles.
He is remembered on the Feckenham village war memorial, the village school memorial and on a family headstone in Feckenham churchyard.
Frank Styler was also born in Feckenham, in 1882, the son of William and Fanny Styler, and was one of six children.
William was a butcher and the family lived on Feckenham High Street.
By 1911 Frank was boarding in Handsworth and working as an assistant school master.
He enlisted on March 22, 1916 and possibly due to his education quickly made Sergeant in the 3/5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
However he contracted septic pneumonia and was transferred to a military hospital in Scotton, Catterick, Yorkshire where died there on May 30, 1917 aged 35.
His body was brought back to Feckenham for burial in the village churchyard on Monday, June 4, 1917.
It is unlikely Frank saw service overseas, his skills probably being put to greater use teaching new recruits.
He is remembered on Feckenham village war memorial and on the school memorial as Frank Styler (teacher).
With thanks to Remembering Redditch’s Fallen Heroes and local historian Richard Pearce.
