Steve Parsons

Plymouth Argyle fan and lover of history. Co-author of Monks in the Military. All views my own.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

Thinking of my Great Uncle William Baker who was killed February 1942. #VJDay

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@BritishArmyWDs @ArmyChaplains @ArmySgtMajor @CWGC @UKDefenceFrance @PoppyLegion @SSAFA @ArmyBenFund I worked at Downside Abbey and had the privilege of working with his diary which is a fantastic document. He was initially attached as chaplain to 1st divisional artillery and then in April 40 he was temporarily moved to 3rd infantry brigade, attached to 2nd CCS.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

Thinking of my Great Uncle, William Baker, who died #OTD 1942 aboard HMS Li Wo as it escaped Singapore. The action won a VC, which I saw last year @I_W_M London. William had also been sunk onboard HMS Repulse.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@WW2Airfields Paul Richey 4th from right next to the pilot in the red scarf. Wrote the excellent book Fighter Pilot about the squadron’s experiences

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@sommecourt My Great Uncle William Baker. Sunk on HMS Repulse but survived only to be killed fleeing the fall of Singapore on HMS Li Wo. The CO won a posthumous VC for the action.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

Incredible to think that exactly 110 years ago now, my great grandad was with the 1st DCLI leaving Dublin on their way to France. @BodminKeep #greatwar #ww1

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

Thinking of my Great Uncle, William Baker, who died #OTD 1942 aboard HMS Li Wo as it escaped Singapore. The action won a VC, which I saw last year @I_W_M London. William had also been sunk onboard HMS Repulse.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@WeHaveWaysPod Sinking of HMS LiWo in feb 42. Action won the CO a VC.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@lindamparker56 @ArmyChaplainMus Fascinating! He was 100 so not as articulate as I could see he wanted to be, but had vivid memories of his landing in a potato field. Didn’t want to talk about his time in the Ter Horst house

[James Holland @James1940]

This looks absolutely terrific. Can’t wait. https://t.co/JTa3VXBgxG @WeHaveWaysPod

[Dr Phil Weir @navalhistorian]

Grim news.
It looks like the salvage vessel Chuan Hong, notoriously connected with the illegal destruction & salvage of a number of #WW2 #shipwrecks, has been spotted off Kuantan, Malaysia over the locations of the wrecks of the @RoyalNavy's HMS Prince of Wales & HMS Repulse.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@GerBrowne4 He was an old boy of @downsideschool, here is his obituary from ‘Downside and the War 1939-45’

[James Holland @James1940]

TRAGEDY OF SCAMPTON’S FUTURE. One of the most original 1930s airfields, with amongst the most heritage of any in UK. From where 617 Squadron flew the Dams Raid. Future looks VERY grim. @almurray @WeHaveWaysPod @militaryhistori @thehistoryguy PLEASE RT THIS THREAD & HELP!

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@RevdPye @ThisDayInWWI @GilesMacDonogh @AntoineVanner @MargyMayell @pirateirwin @MandeepBajwa @MalcolmCGodfrey @militaryhistori @LucyLondon7 @AC_NavalHistory Monk of @downsideabbey Dom Stanislaus Chatterton was chaplain to HMS Hampshire but missed her last sailing due to a delayed train on his way back from leave.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@James1940 @WeHaveWaysPod Fr Rudesind Brookes MC, a Benedictine monk and Alexander’s chaplain, had to watch as the monastery at Cassino was destroyed. A story goes that ‘Alex’ consoled Fr Dolly as he was known, by saying the US would pay a lot of money to rebuild it.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@TigersTimBell I did some research into him when I worked in the archives @downsideabbey, as he went to @downsideschool and is commemorated there on the war memorials. Great to see your article.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@sommecourt @netflix Parts of it filmed @downsideabbey where Sassoon actually converted to Catholicism in 1957.

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@CWGC @birminghamcg22 Cyril Burnand was an extremely talented rower, the first Catholic to feature in the Boat Race. He was killed in 1915 at Neuve Chapelle. https://t.co/7rX7h5iMgE @ammorrey

[Steve Parsons @steveyp116]

@Independent @MartinSLewis How is this possible? People choosing between heating and eating and then we see stories like this?! What can be done? This is absolutely ludicrous. What a shocking state this country is in.