The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
South Holland district councillor Christine Lawton presents the street sign to Les Parkin in memory of his brother Charles who died in Normandy in World War Two.
A poignant street sign named after a brave young soldier from Cowbit who was killed in the Second World War has been returned to his family.
The Parkin Avenue sign pays tribute to Rfmn Charles Rowland Parkin who died in action at Normandy during the D-Day campaign in July 1944 and includes a poem in his memory..
The street in Cowbit was named after him by the old Spalding Rural Council.
The nameplate states “Charles Rowland Parkin of this village gave his life in the service of his country” followed by a short piece of poetry:
“Ye who live on mid-English pastures green,
Remember us and think what might have been.”
On learning that the sign had been removed, the Parkin family contacted Coun Christine Lawton, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for housing, to see if it could be found.
With the help of council staff the sign was duly recovered and returned to Mr Parkin’s brother Les, who is now 84 and lives in Spalding.
Les, of Regent Street, said: “The sign is a unique piece of history – there can’t be many others like it.
“My brother was only 19 when he died but the sign ensures that his memory will live on forever.
“I would like to thank Cllr Lawton and staff at South Holland District Council for returning it – they have made my family very happy and proud.”
Mr Parkin added that he would place the sign on the side of an air raid shelter in his garden.
Coun Lawton said: “I am delighted that a small piece of social history has been preserved.”
