Military Medal recipient, veteran of both world wars. Parkinson was working as a blacksmith when at age 22 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on November 17, 1914. He was allotted to the artillery with rank of gunner and given service number 3648. He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A45 Hessen on February 2, 1915. On July 14 he was transferred to Gallipoli and was wounded by shrapnel in his leg on August 25 and evacuated to No. 1 General Hospital, Cairo. In 1916 when artillery volunteers were called to man medium trench mortar batteries he volunteered and was posted Y1 Australian Trench Mortar Battery that was allotted to the 1st Australian Division. He embarked from Alexandria, Egypt on March 25, 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles, France on April 1. He was promoted corporal on July 1 and sergeant on April 16, 1917. Just before the Battle of Menin Road, Belgium commenced on September 20, he was commended for his work at Westhoek on the night of September 18/19 when he showed great gallantry and devotion to duty whilst in charge of a party of trench mortar personnel. He succeeded in emplacing near the outposts one 9.45 inch Trench Mortar and one 6 inch Newton Mortar. These mortars were required to demolish two enemy strong points which were a menace to our attack. The work was accomplished in spite of very heavy hostile barrage throughout the night. Thirty six rounds of 9.45 and forty four rounds of 6 inch Newton were fired by 8.20 am and the strong points successfully engaged. He was awarded the Military Medal. Parkinson was appointed second Lieutenant on September 25, 1918 and promoted lieutenant on December 15, 1918. He returned to Australia on April 12, 1919 and placed on the Australian Military Forces Reserve of Officers on October 1, 1920. On February 2, 1937 he joined the 59th Battalion of the part time Citizen Military Forces. He was seconded to the Australian Imperial Force on May 8, 1941 and allotted service number VX55282. At the time he was living with his wife Pearl in Heidelberg. He served with the Sea Transport in 1941 and was promoted captain with the 58th/59th Battalion on September 1, 1942. He was with the Australian War Graves Service for the rest of the war being promoted temporary major on July 11, 1945. He was discharged on May 31, 1946.