South Yorkshire Times, December 2nd 1944
Wath Man Wins D.S.O.
Officer’s Gallantry In Burma
A former Wath man, Capt. Dennis Parkin, of 14, Clee Crescent, Grimsby, has been awarded the D.S.O. for gallantry in Burma.
Capt. Parkin and his batman, who, with their company, were cut off by the Japanese during fighting in the Imphal Plain, showed great fortitude in keeping the Japs at bay.
Capt. Parkin, whose left arm had been shattered by a Japanese grenade, issued orders through his batman while being dragged across open paddy fields under heavy enemy fire, and in this way extricated all the men left in his Company. The batman who received the DSM, was Pte. Walter Beaumont of Goole.
On July 12th Capt. Parkin was detached to raid a Japanese village south of Bishempur with the job of establishing the Company in the village and enabling another unit to take over by first light the following day. Silently approaching in the fading light, the Company completely surprised the enemy, who fled in disorder leaving behind one tank.
The company captured two thirds of the village and a second tank intact, but Japanese counterattacks prevented further troops reaching the one platoon sent forward to deal with the counter thrust. In the early hours of July 13th, the situation was that two platoons and Company headquarters were cut off, with the enemy on three sides, and the fourth side overlooking open paddy fields, was well covered by heavy automatic fire. Capt. Parkin, without thought for his own safety, reassured the men. By 4-30 p.m. it became clear that the Japanese had reinforced their troops. They launched another attack from three sides. Capt. Parkin ordered a withdrawal across the open paddy fields, and, with his left arm shattered, both officers – commanding platoons killed, the C.S.M. wounded and unable to ‘ crawl, Capt. Parkin had himself dragged across the paddy fields. He stopped every few minutes to issue orders through his batman until the party reached cover and lay up.
The citation concludes: “His personal courage and bravery and tenacity of purpose of the highest order throughout reached a climax during the counter-attack. Despite intense pain his devotion to duty would not allow him to consider his personal feelings. His courageous example was an inspiration to the men under his command.”
Capt. Parkin, who is married, and has a daughter, lived at 62, Barnsley Road, Wath, before joining the Coldstream Guards, He is the youngest of a family of seven, and son of Mr. Parkin and the late Mrs. B. Parkin.
One of his brothers, L/Bdr. S. Parkin, is now back in England after serving two years in Syria and Palestine.