Private John Parr is traditionally thought to be the first British Army casualty of the First World War.

John was born and raised in London. At the age of just 14, he joined the Middlesex Regiment in 1912, meaning John must have been one of the youngest soldiers in the British Army when war broke out in August 1914.

In fact, his comrades gave him the nickname “Ole Parr”, reflecting his youth.

John was a member of the bicycle reconnaissance unit. It was his job to scout ahead on a bike to gather intelligence and find out the opposing Imperial German Army’s movements.

Come August, John’s battalion was in France with the British Expeditionary Force, taking up positions around the Northern French village of Bettinges. 

There is some debate as to the actual cause of John’s death. Historians continue to debate the subject, but the most common account is John was sent forward to find a missing unit when he was cut down by German rifle fire on 21 August 1914.

John is buried at St Symphorien Military Cemetery, near Mons, Belgium.