Chaplain George E M Parry

The Rev (Chaplain 4th Class) George Edward Maule Parry was the son of Allen James Parry and Muriel Constance St John Parry, of Leytonstone, Essex. His younger brother, Allen Parry, served with the 9th (Essex) Parachute Battalion.

Rev Parry served with Royal Army Chaplain's Department and was attached to 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion as Padre, having completed Parachute Training Course number 78 at RAF Ringway, in August 1943. His report stated that he was cheerful and enthusiastic, and an asset to his stick.

In June 1944 he parachuted into Normandy, during Operation Overlord. Before the men left, Rev Parry led a service:

‘As the shadows lengthened on Monday June 5, the stand-to order was given. The last ceremony that day was a drumhead service in a meadow near Fairford Airfield by our popular padre, Captain Parry, known to us all as Pissy Percy the Parachuting Parson. Parry was a wiry little Welshman with a nature as fiery as his red hair, and a heart and courage to match. Drawn-up in a semi-circle, 610 men faced inwards towards the padre who stood on an ammunition box. A more unlikely or piratical congregation could not be imagined, every man abristle with weapons, his face and hands besmirched with black cream, his helmet on the ground before him, his rifle or Sten gun laid across it. Onward Christian Soldiers went well. Abide With Me was rather more ragged. It was not easy to sing that in such a setting and at such a moment.’

From an account by Lt Todd, courtesy of The Pegasus Archive.

The 7th Battalion landed around the Orne River to relieve glider-borne troops. Rev Parry went to help wounded soldiers from A Company, in Benouville. He made his way to the Regimental Aid Post (RAP) in the early morning on 6 June.

The German soldiers broke through the defences and overran the RAP, where the wounded lay helpless.

‘There was no cessation in the Germans' probing with patrols and counter-attacks, some led by tanks, and the regimental aid post was overrun in the early hours. The wounded being tended there were all killed where they lay. So too was Padre Parry, who had evidently fought like a tiger to defend them.’

From an account by Lt Todd, courtesy of The Pegasus Archive.

Rev Parry died trying to defend the wounded soldiers in the RAP, on 6 June 1944, aged 29 years old. He is noted as one of three Officer casualties, and 16 other ranks, at 0325 in the 7th Battalion’s War Diary. He was a popular officer in the Battalion, and his death was keenly felt.

Rev George Parry is now buried at Benouville Churchyard, Normandy.