In memory of Thomas Robert Verner Parke
Thomas Robert Verner Parke was born in 1920, writes Adrian Hughes. He was orphaned aged 10, and was brought up by his aunt and uncle at their home, “Morwenna”, in Chapel Street, Llandudno.
His uncle was Major James Parke, a well-known Llandudno solicitor and sportsman who in his youth represented his native Ireland in both international rugby union and tennis, winning the silver medal at the 1908 Olympic Games in London. Some of this sporting prowess must have rubbed off on his nephew, who was a talented golfer and could often be found on the links of the West Shore golf club, Llandudno.
During the Second World War he served as a pilot in the Royal Navy. He was initially based in the Orkney Isles, off the north coast of Scotland, at RNAS Hatston, which was tasked with defending the naval base at Scapa Flow. In April 1940 Flight Lieutenant Parke was transferred to become one of only 55 men of the Fleet Air Arm to fight alongside the RAF during the Battle of Britain.
He was killed on active service, aged 21, on 7 July 1941.
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