Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (12712 Pte. A. Parsons, A.S.C.) toned, extremely fine £240-£280

Arthur Augustus Parsons was born in Swansea on 2 September 1876, and attested for the Army Service Corps at Harwich, Essex, on 11 June 1896. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 11 June 1899, but was recalled to Army Service on 9 October 1899 and served with No. 22 Company, Army Service Corps, in South Africa during the Boer War from 24 November 1899, before being invalided home on 18 September 1900. Re-transferring to the Army Reserve on 15 May 1902, he was finally discharged on 25 January 1904, after 7 years and 229 days’ service.

Parsons subsequently trained as a Radiographer, and in 1908 was appointed Radiographer at the Seamen’s Hospital at Greenwich. He died from cancer in June 1928, with the inquest into his death attributing it to the effects of exposure to repeated radiation from X-rays over the last two decades. The cause of his death was widely reported in the press, was even raised in Parliament at Prime Minister’s Questions, while the Western Daily Press giving the following account:
‘Arthur Augustus Parsons, 51, of Hyde Vale, Greenwich, who died on Friday, was described at the inquest at Deptford as a martyr to science. For over twenty years he was a radiographer at the Seamen’s Hospital, Greenwich, and for six years previous to that he held a similar position at Westminster Hospital. It was stated that he was one of the pioneers of his profession in London, and in the course of his duty contracted carcinoma. Although he realised his condition he carried on his work between various illnesses. Dr. Arthur Davies, pathologist, of Harley Street, said Mr. Parsons was a martyr to science, for, knowing his own fate, he never failed to do his best for those who came under his care. The Coroner, Dr. W. H. Whitehouse, recording a verdict of “Accidental death”, told his widow that her husband’s whole object in life was to serve the public and that he had suffered the consequence. When he started his career, the dangers attending radiological work were very extreme, and there were many difficulties. It is understood that in view of Mr. Parsons’ heroism, an effort is being made to secure the interest of the Carnegie Hero Fund on behalf of his widow.’ (Western Daily Press, 20 June 1928 refers).

In 1956 Parsons’ name was added to the roll of radiation martyrs on the Memorial in Hamburg, Germany .

Sold with the recipient’s Diary from his time in South Africa; and copied attestation papers, medals roll extracts, and other research.