Lieutenant Francis Newton Parsons VC
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Francis Parsons was born on 23 March 1875 as the third son of Dr Charles and Venetia Parsons of Dover.
He was educated at Dover College before entering Sandhurst and then Essex Regiment in February 1896 and being promoted to Lieutenant in March 1898.
On the morning of the 15th February, 1900, at Paardeberg, on the south bank of the River Modder, Private Ferguson, 1st Battalion Essex Regiment, was wounded and fell in a place devoid of cover.
While trying to crawl under cover, he was again wounded, in the stomach, Lieutenant Parsons at once went to his assistance, dressed his wound under heavy fire, went down twice (still under heavy fire) to the bank of the river to get water for Private Ferguson, and subsequently carried him to a place of safety.
Lieutenant Parsons was killed on the 10th March, in the engagement at Dreifontein, on which occasion he again displayed conspicuous gallantry and was mentioned in despatches.
The VC is held at the Essex Regiment Museum.
