South Yorkshire Times May 24 1947

Wath Man at The Palace

D.S.O. For Gallantry In Imphal Plain Fighting

Five years old Susan has this week been one of the most excited little girls In South Yorkshire. On Tuesday she went to Buckingham Palace and for two hours she sat near the King; but (most thrilling moment of all) she saw the King shake hands with her father, Captain Dennis Parkin, D.S.O., of Beech Villas, Barnsley Road, Wath-on-Dearne, and hand to him the award of the Distinguished Service Order for bravery in Burma.

Saw Princess. Too

This picture of Captain and Mrs. Parkin and Susan was taken outside the gates of the Palace immediately after the investiture, and there was yet another excitement in store, for they caught sight of Princess Elizabeth too, on her way from the Palace.

One of many northerners to receive their awards from the King, Captain Parkin was with the West Yorkshir , Regiment before leaving the Army. During fighting in Burma on the Imphal Plain he and his Company were cut off by the Japanese, and although his left arm had been shattered by a grenade, while being dragged across open paddy fields under heavy enemy fire he continued to issue orders through his batman, which resulted in all the men left in his Company being extricated. His batman, Pte. Walter Beaumont, of Goole, was awarded the D.C.M.

On Tuesday the King noticed that Captain Parkin’s left arm was still m plaster; asked if it was the result of the action and wished him well in his recovery.       Captain Parkin has had several operations on the arm and is due for another next week which, he ‘ hopes will be the last.