Fonds MS-674 - Andrew L. Parnham fonds

Open original Digital object

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Andrew L. Parnham fonds

General material designation

  • Textual record
  • Graphic material - photograph
  • Object

Parallel title

Other title information

Title statements of responsibility

Title notes

  • Source of title proper: Title based on contents of fonds.

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

CA EDM MS-674

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

Statement of projection (cartographic)

Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • [ca. 1900] - 1976 (Creation)
    Creator
    Parnham, Andrew L.

Physical description area

Physical description

50 cm of textual records. - 10 photographs. - 2 objects

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

Parallel titles of publisher's series

Other title information of publisher's series

Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series

Numbering within publisher's series

Note on publisher's series

Archival description area

Name of creator

(1888-1977)

Biographical history

Andrew Lawrie Parnham was born on 27 Nov 1888 in Inverkip, Renfrewshire, Scotland to Andrew and Isabella Parnham. He came to Edmonton in 1911 and worked as an electrician.
The 51st Battalion, CEF, was authorized in November 1914. Andrew Parnham enlisted in the 51st Battalion in August 1915 (Regimental no. 437649). After shipping to Britain with the battalion (April 1916) he was transferred with a group sent to reinforce the 15th Battalion (perpetuated by the 48th Highlanders of Canada). He fought in the Battle of the Somme, where he was wounded, and later in the Battle of Amiens.
In World War II, Parnham re-enlisted with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, which perpetuated the 51st Battalion but returned after one year due to illness. He was a founding member and secretary of the 51st Battalion Association.
He married Ellen Morrison on 15 Sep 1922. Ellen, born in Glasgow, Scotland, came to Canada in 1911 with her parents, eventually moving to Edmonton in 1920. Andrew and Ellen Parnham had two children, a daughter Laura (Mrs. H. L. Gibbons) and a son, Douglas. Andrew Parnham died 16 May 1977.

51st Battalion Association (1919-1975)
Lt. Col. Reginald de Lotbinere Harwood, formerly of the 101st Regiment (EdmontonFusiliers), was authorized to raise the 51st Battalion (Edmonton’s Own) in December 1914. In November 1915 the Battalion was the first unit to occupy the Edmonton Drill Hall (later known as the Prince of Wales Armouries, now known as the Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre). Sixteen of the commissioned officers had risen through the ranks of the Fusiliers and some were veterans of the Boer war.
The 51st Battalion embarked for the European front as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEP) leaving Edmonton for Halifax by train on April 1, 1916. From Halifax, they travelled to Great Britain aboard the S.S. Olympic. In Britain the battalion was posted to the 12th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Division being organized at Bramshott Camp, but it was broken up to provide reinforcements for units already in action. Ultimately the 51st Battalion was perpetuated by The Edmonton Regiment (now the Loyal Edmonton Regiment (3 Batt. P.P.C.L.I).
The 51st Battalion Association was organized by veterans of the battalion. After its 60th anniversary banquet in April 1975 the association was disbanded. Andrew L. Parnham was acting secretary of the 51st Battalion Association at the time it was disbanded.

Custodial history

Scope and content

The fonds consists of a documents, photographs, scrapbooks and news clippings related to Andrew Parnham’s military service and the 51st Battalion, C.E.F.
This fonds also consists of records of the 51st Battalion Association, including minutes, correspondence, membership and financial records and the nominal roll of officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the battalion. It also includes the association gavel and the leather briefcase that held the association records.
The material is arranged into two main sections, Andrew L. Parnham and the 51st Battalion Association.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

This fonds was donated to the City of Edmonton Archives by Andrew Parnham in 1976, 1977 and 1983.

Arrangement

The material was arranged by the archivist by creator.
The photographs were assigned item numbers with the prefix EA-307 and arranged in chronological order.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Location of originals

    Availability of other formats

    Restrictions on access

    There are no restrictions on access.

    Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

    Copyright may apply.
    Reproduction restrictions may apply.

    Finding aids

    Finding aid available online.

    Associated materials

    Related materials

    Accruals

    No further accruals are expected.

    General note

    Accession numbers: A76-162, A77-36, A93-126

    General note

    Duplicate 'loan to copy' material securely disposed.

    Alternative identifier(s)

    Standard number

    Standard number

    Access points

    Subject access points

    Place access points

    Name access points

    Genre access points

    Control area

    Description record identifier

    Institution identifier

    City of Edmonton Archives

    Rules or conventions

    Rules for Archival Description (RAD)
    Archives Society of Alberta Subject Terms

    Status

    Final

    Level of detail

    Dates of creation, revision and deletion

    Language of description

      Script of description

        Sources

        Digital object (Master) rights area

        Digital object (Reference) rights area

        Digital object (Thumbnail) rights area

        Accession area