Surgeon Lieutenant FPN Parsons

[Alan Baker]

I am attaching a copy of a cover from AK's accumulation. This appears to have been censored by this officer. This is one of several from about the same period and there is another cover to him in 1915 at Pembroke College, Cambridge

Q1 The censor mark appears to be Gould 6B73 (26mm approx) which is noted as originating from HMS Rapid but also Submarine K2. Does this tie in with his service (Frank)? Wikithing suggest K2 was completed later than this cover, but Rapid joined the Grand Fleet in September 1916

Q2. Do we have any idea where the ship was at this time or where it might be going? The covers seem to be from the same voyage (NB "23rd since sailing")

[Frank Schofield]

Alan

Surg/Prob RNVR Fred  P.N. Parsons appt to HMS Rapid in September 1916

The postmark FPOa places her at Scapa Flow

Frank Schofield

[Alan Baker]

Many thanks Frank. I knew you would have the answer

[Alan Baker]

Looking through the covers, No 23 was in November 1916 but another one dated February 1917 is marked "1st since returning". Quite a long time at sea

[Nick Colley]

Hmm, sounds as if a perusal of the logs of HMS Rapid might be necessary to get to the bottom of these observations. A visit to Kew on the cards, is it? :o

chrs
Nick