Wounded Soldiers from Lotherton Hospital at Parlington, 1915

The Gascoigne family in the second half of nineteenth century, were like many prominent families of the day, heavily involved in the military and unsurprisingly the young, “Dick” Gascoigne, only son of Frederick and Isabella was introduced to military life early on as a cadet. As the juvenile Captain of the cadets in 1863 aged only 12 he was given high praise by the ladies watching a sham fight organised for the Second West York (Leeds) Volunteers at Parlington. But this paled into insignificance compared to his later exploits in the Sudan war, 1854-55, as he and others attempted to rescue General Gordon. My new talk, “Parlington and the Military”, was tested out on the Barwick in Elmet Historical Society on Wednesday evening. Although I say it myself, it was well received, and the feedback I have had since tells me it is worth adding the talk to my regular portfolio!