William George Parker

Rank:

Seaman

Unit at enlistment:

H.M.C.S. Niobe

Force:

R.C.N.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Address at enlistment:

105 Cayuga Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

105 Cayuga Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Labourer

Employer:

Massey-Harris Co.

Letters and documents

Miscellaneous

BX November 12, 1915

A Visitor From H.M.C.S. Niobe – W. Parker, of This City, is a Stoker on Canadian Cruiser

About nine months ago William George Parker, of 105 Cayuga Street, joined the Canadian Navy; in August he was attached to H.M.C.S. Niobe and yesterday he was back in Brantford for a visit to his home. He made a conspicuous figure on the street in his natty blue uniform and attracted more attention owing to the fact that sailors are a rarity so far inland as Brantford. On the Niobe Parker follows the occupation of a stoker.

The Niobe is a floating barracks for training ship for sailors, said Mr. Parker. The ship is stationed at Halifax, with nearly 300 men on it, although it has accommodation for over 700. The men are trained to perfection here and are liable at a moment’s notice to be turned over to a battleship that comes in with injured or sick men.

“Every man on the Niobe is anxious and ready for battle,” continued Mr. Parker. “Drafts are frequently taken from the boat and immediately transferred into active service. Men are transferred to both British and Australian boats.”

Questions as to the excitement in being a sailor, Stoker Parker said that the most excitement he has seen on the Niobe was in the taking of prizes. They have taken five or six prizes and these they hold until they met a British war vessel, to which they turn the prize over, and it is credited to them. The Niobe has 34 boilers and eight emergency boilers and is all through a first-class cruiser.