BWM correctly named Lt Col JH Parker RM.
Silver Messina Earthquake Medal unnamed as issued.
Order of St Maurice and Lazarus.
James Henry Parker was born in Bengal in 1866. His father, William Henry Parker was a civil engineer with Her Majesties Indian Public Works Department.
He enlisted into service on the 1st of February 1886.
He married Christina Janet Watson Reid in April 1896.
He was present at the aftermath of the Messina Earthquake in 1908 while serving aboard HMS Exmouth.
Messina 1908:
Messina earthquake and tsunami with a moment magnitude of 7.1 took about 123,000 lives on December 28, 1908, in Sicily and Calabria, southern Italy.
The major cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria were almost completely destroyed.
Many nations came to the aid of the affected areas and various ships in the Mediterranean at the time were deployed to offer whatever help could be given. Messina was the worst affected population centre and a number of Royal and British Merchant Navy vessels landed men to assist, from digging survivors out from collapsed buildings to assisting with the evacuation of the injured and homeless.
Royal Marines assisted with the relief landing from Ships of the Fleet.
HMS Exmouth:
HMS Exmouth played a crucial role in the relief efforts following the Messina Earthquake of 1908. The ship was involved in transporting relief supplies and participating in rescue operations in Calabria. Commander George Arthur Titterton, who served on HMS Exmouth, was awarded the Messina Earthquake medal for his contributions to the rescue operations. The ship’s involvement in the disaster highlights the international response to the earthquake, with various nations, including the United States, contributing to the relief efforts.
HMS Exmouth set sail from Malta at 9:30 am60 with Admiral Curzon-Howe on board. It carried tents in greatest number, countless mattresses, 30,000 blankets, food and medicine.
She arrived at dawn. All the men on board pitched tents and went to search for survivors in the vicinity. They barely stopped for food and worked till late in the day.
King Emanuele asked HMS Exmouth to visit Cannitello and Lazzaro both of which were inaccessible from land. The Exmouth reported these towns as being completely destroyed.
In the morning of January 7th, HMS Exmouth returned to Malta from Messina.
He is listed in the book ‘Angels In Blue Jackets’ as a member of HMS Exmouth.
He died at home, 22 Mitcham Park, Mitcham, Surrey on June 29th 1918 and is buried at Mitcham Burial Ground.
His records show he was entitled to the three medals.
