Mr Francis Parkes, known as Frank, was born at 9 Castlereagh Place in Belfast, Ireland on 8 November 1890.
He was the son of James Parkes (b. 1851) and his wife Elizabeth, née Jervis (b. 1852). His father, a native of Co Tyrone, worked as an advertising agent and later a school attendance officer and was married to his wife Elizabeth, a Downpatrick, Co Down native, on 3 June 1885.
Growing up in a Church of Ireland household, Francis had six siblings: Matthew James (b. 5 January 1887), Robert George (b. 7 February 1889), Charles (b. 6 June 1893), William Frederick (b. 14 September 1895), Elizabeth Mary (b. 21 July 1898) and Violet Maud (b. 6 October 1901).
The family appear on the 1901 census of Ireland living at 76 Richardson Street off of the Ormeau Road in South Belfast. By the time of the 1911 census, the family had shifted to 25 Agincourt Avenue, Cromac, Belfast. At the time of the latter record Francis was described as an apprentice plumber; he worked alongside several of his brothers who were also employed by Harland & Wolff in various capacities whilst father was an official within Belfast City Council.
Francis was one of the nine-strong "guarantee group" of Harland and Wolff employees chosen to oversee the smooth running of the Titanic's maiden voyage.
Francis Parkes, like the rest of his counterparts, died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.
His parents remained at their 25 Agincourt Avenue address for years to come; his father died there on 16 December 1918 from pneumonia but what became of his mother remains unknown.
Comment and discuss