| Robert Park was the son of John and Margaret Park. Robert was born 17th December 1888 in the Magherafelt area.
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| Family: John Park, Margaret Park, William Park (born 29th May 1887), Robert Park (born 17th December 1888), Lizzie Park (born 16th November 1890), Richard Park (born 1st March 1892).
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| The 1901 census lists Robert as age 12 living with the family at house 1 in Grange, Desertmartin, Londonderry. John Park was a farmer and a member of Magherafelt Rural District Council (R.D.C.).
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| The 1911 census lists Robert as age 22 living with the family at house 41 in Grange, Desertmartin, Londonderry. Robert was working on his father’s farm.
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| John Park was a Justice of the Peace (J.P.).
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| Robert Park was a member of O’Hara Purple Guards L.O.L. 310, Magherafelt.
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| Robert Park enlisted in Antrim.
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| Private Robert Park was with the North Irish Horse (2325) for a time.
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| Private Robert Park was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed in action near Kemmel, six miles south-west of Ypres in Belgium on Friday 19th April 1918. He was 29 years old.
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| On 18 April 1918 the Battalion diary stated:
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| ‘2am. Moved to Kemmel as composite Battalion with 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly. Heavy casualties while moving into position, from enemy shelling. Captain Despard wounded and died soon after. 8pm. Relieved by French troops and marched to Siege Camp.’
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th May 1918: Magherafelt
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| Everyone who has the pleasure of the acquaintance of Mr John Park, J.P., will join with his fellow magistrates and others present at the Petty Sessions on Wednesday in expressing sympathy and condolence with him in the death in action of his two soldier sons. It is a great consolation to have been the parent of real men
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| Private Robert Park has no known grave and is commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial.
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| Robert Park’s brother also died in the War. Private William Parke was serving with the 58th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he was killed in action at Passchendaele on Friday 26th October 1917.
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| The CWGC record Private Robert Parkas the son of John Park, J.P., and Margaret Park of Grange, Magherafelt, County Londonderry.
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| Information and images are derived from both Phillip Tardif’s North Irish Horse website and Sam Hudson’s Castledawson War Dead website (see references).
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