Parry Jones, Owen Guy
We regret to record that Capt. Owen Parry-Jones, R.A.M.C. elder son of Dr.and Mrs. Parry-Jones, Full Street, Derby, has died in France from wounds received in the recent fighting.
Owen Guy Parry-Jones was born at Pinxton, Derbyshire, in June 1887. He was educated first at a Preparatory School atn Bournemouth and then at Sherborne School, where he reached the Sixth Form and was School Prefect, but was perhaps, more distinguished for his musical gifts and athletics. He was a prominent member of the Rugby XV., won the Steeplechase, and was a Sergeant in the O.T.C. He went to Oxford with a Choral Scholarship at Magdalen College, became captain of the College XV., and played many times for the University. After taking his B.A. degree he entered Guy's Hospital. He was very specially a Guy's man, his father was here from 1878 to 1885, and his mother was for a short time Sister Cornelius. Known to all his friends as P. J., he was beloved by everyone who met him. In the Rugby XV he excelled as a forward, physically strong and powerful, he was one of the mainstays of a team that for some years remained undefeated in the Final Cup Ties. He also played for Kent, and was a member of two teams that went to France and Austria respectively. Possessed of a very fine baritone voice, his services for "Ward Concerts" at Christmas time was always most eagerly sought after.
In 1913 he accepted a Commission in the Special Reserve of Officers and was called up when war broke but, when he was just on the eve of qualifying as a medical man, and was sent to the Lancashire Fusiliers as Second Lieutenant. He served with them at their depot and at Hull for five months, and then in view of the shortage of doctors he was given a month's leave to try and qualify. This he did and became M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. in January, 1915, and was at once gazetted Lieutenant in the R.A.M.C and joined a training camp at Eastbourne. Promoted Captain in May, 1915, he went out to France in July, 1915, with the 56th Field Ambulance in the 18th Division. For the last few weeks he had been attached to the 8th Suffolks, and whilst with them he met his death. On September 28th he was standing outside the Advanced Aid Post when he received severe wounds from fragments of a shell. He died the following day, and we are told that he remained bright and cheerful to the end.
Thus P.J. in laying down his life so voluntarily for his Country, reflects Honour and Glory on the name he bore, which will ever be remembered by his Hospital. Guy's Hospital Reports Vol.LXX, War Memorial Number
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Parry Jones |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Owen Guy |
| Date of birth | June 1887 |
| Place of birth | Pinxton, Derbyshire |
| Family details | Son of Maurice Parry-Jones, M.D., of 4, Full St, Derby |
| Previous education | Sherborne and Magdalen College, Oxford |
| College | Guy's Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1909-1915 |
| Dept / course | M.B. Oxford |
| Qualifications | M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. 1915 |
| Military unit | Royal Army Medical Corps, Suffolk Regiment attd. 3rd Bn. |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Decorations / medals | Mentioned in Despatches |
| Date of death | 29 September 1916 |
| Age at death | 29 |
| Rank at death | Captain |
| Cause of death | Died of wounds |
| Burial place | Puchevillers British Cemetery |
| Commemoration(s) | Guy's Hospital Memorial; Rosslyn Park Roll of Honour |
| Sources | Guy's Hospital Medical School Records, King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission |