OLDEST SOLDIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3388, 1 December 1911, Page 8

OLDEST SOLDIER.

HAS BEEN SIXTY-SEVEN YEARS ON THE ACTIVE LIST-

THE KING’S GUNNER

Samuel Parsons, the King’s gunner at Windsor Castle, celebrated tno fifty-seen rid anniversary .of his appointment the oth<?r day. Parsons is probably the oldest soldier in the British Army. Although nearly eighty-seven he is still on the active list, and .lias drawn full military pay for sixty-five years. Parsons still retains all his faculties, his sight being very good, and he enjoys good health. He was born at Morval, East Loo, Cornwall, in 1825, and at the age of nineteen joined the Royal Artillery at Devonport. He was at Quebec witli his regiment for six years, and after three years’ service was despatched to the Crimea.

After being laid up for a time witli fever, Parsons returned to the seat of war, the day before the charge of Balaclava, although lie did not take part in that memorable charge, hut was present at the battle of Inkerman. After the Crimea he went to Woolwich, and was appointed Royal gunner at Windsor Castle on October 17, 1859.

Parson* possesses .six medals, including the Crimean medal, with bars for Sabastopal, Inkerman, and Balaclava, the 'Turkish medal, the long service medal, Queen Victoria’s Jubilee medal, with a bar for the Diamond Jubille, King Edward’s medal, and. King George’s Coronation medal. * During his fifty-two years Parsons has been at the Round Tower there has never been an accident. It .is his duty to hoist the flag at sunrise and haul it down at sunset. V lien the Court is in residence a. Royal Standard flies from the masthead, with a small one at night. Since 1892 the Union Jack has been hoisted during the absence of the Court.