John Francis Hall Parlby (1897-?) was a twenty-one-year-old rancher from Alix, Alberta. He was conscripted in May 1918 under the Military Service Act introduced by Prime Minister Robert Borden in 1917. He never saw front-line action and eventually returned home. His younger brother, Alexander George Parlby, also served during the war, and went missing in action. During the war, the men's aunt, Irene Parlby, became president of the United Farm Women of Alberta and emerged as one of the most prominent women in Canadian political life. In 1921 she was elected to the provincial legislature as a member of the United Farmers of Alberta and was appointed the province's first female cabinet minister. In 1929 she was one of the Famous Five whose court case resulted in women being recognized as persons under Canadian law. The story of the Parlby family shows how Canadian society was changed fundamentally by the war, as many women seized opportunities to enter the workplace and public life for the first time, taking on roles traditionally performed by men.
Service Record Details
Date of Birth: January 23, 1897 (Red Deer, Alberta)
Date of Attestation: May 20, 1918(conscription)
Age at Enlistment: 21 years, 3 months
Height: 5 feet, 8 inches
Weight: 135 pounds
Description: Medium complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair. Church of England. Scar on both hands.
Home Address: Alix, Alberta
Trade: Farmer
Married: Single
Details of Family: Father, Edward McKenzie Parlby, and mother, Ann Morison Parlby, both living in Alix, Alberta, Canada.
Next of Kin: Father, Mr. Edward Parlby, living in Alix, Alberta
Theatre of War: Not applicable
Casualties / Medical History
None indicated
Interesting Details from the Service Record
- May 20, 1918 – Parlby is drafted under the Military Service Act of 1917. (Page 2)
- September 16, 1918 – He is "struck off strength on return to Registrars records" and discharged at Calgary, Alberta. His discharge is confirmed on March 10, 1919. (Pages 5-6)
The London Gazette
No records found
Military Medals Honours and Awards
No records found
Census Records
No records found