The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. C A Parsons
Claude Arthur Parsons, of Halterworth, Romsey, Hampshire was born on 11th January 1914, the son of Harry and Norah Ellen Parsons.
He worked in the Vickers-Armstrong Supermarine factory at Eastleigh.
Parsons joined the RAFVR about April 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and arrived at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 27th May 1940.
After converting to Hurricanes Parsons was posted to 610 Squadron at Gravesend on 15th June 1940.
Above: Parsons is centre, leaning on left elbow, Hawkinge 1940.
Below: the same group from a different angle.
On the 24th he damaged a Do17, on the 25th destroyed a Me109, on 14th August probably destroyed a Ju87 and on the 18th he destroyed a Do17 and was then himself shot down by a Me109, wounded.
Parsons was posted to 66 Squadron at Kenley on 10th September. He destroyed a He111 and damaged a Do17 on the 15th and destroyed a Ju88 and damaged a Me110 on the 27th. He was wounded on 14th February 1941 and admitted to hospital after his Spitfire, P7670, was attacked and damaged by Me109s.
Parsons was killed on 8th November 1941 as a Flight Sergeant with 66 Squadron on a sweep over Holland, aged 27.
His Spitfire IIA P8435 was shot down off the Dutch coast by a fighter.
He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 37.
Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.
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