Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

August 6th, 1940

Citation:
"On the night of June 8th, 1940, this officer was first pilot of an aircraft detailed for bombing operations. Just after taking off in complete darkness the port engine failed.
Displaying great coolness Pilot Officer Parker immediately raised (the undercarriage and tried to fly straight on, but found that he could gain neither height or speed with his heavily loaded aircraft on only one engine.
Reducing speed to 80 m.p.h. he switched off his engine and " felt " the aircraft into the nearest field in complete darkness. The aircraft crashed however and immediately burst into flames. Pilot Officer Parker jumped out and got clear to find that his navigator and air gunner were safe but the wireless operator was lying stunned near the burning aircraft. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and knowing there were four 500 Ib bombs in the wreckage, which might explode any moment, he returned and carried his wireless operator to a place of safety. During this action one of the bombs exploded and Pilot Officer Parker saved the airman further injury by throwing him to the ground.
This officer displayed exceptional coolness, resourcefulness and courage throughout and, in face of extreme danger, undoubtedly saved the life of his wireless operator."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

November 22nd, 1940

Recommendation:
"Pilot Officer Parker, who is a Volunteer Reserve Officer, has carried out a total of 43 operational flights against the enemy during the course of which he has completed 250 hours flying. His work throughout has been of the very highest order. He has carried out numerous mining operations, bombing attacks, both low and high level, on all of which he has shown consistent courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty. On the night of 4/5 September 1940, he was detailed to lead an attack on the oil refineries near Stettin. He proceeded ahead of the main attack, and located and bombed his target successfully from a low altitude, starting fires which enabled other aircraft to locate and attack the same target without difficulty. Pilot Officer Parker's careful planning, skill and determination in all of these operations have been of the very highest order and he has at all times set an excellent example to younger officers'.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)