Arthur (“Ted”) Parsons was born on November 26, 1916, the son of Arthur Edwin Parsons and Olive Sarah (nee Cornish) Parsons, of 286 Kathleen Avenue and later 263 North Vidal Street, Sarnia. Ted’s parents were originally born in England. He had two brothers and two sisters: John, Tom, Gwen and Shirley. Prior to enlisting, Ted had been employed in a jewelry store in Timmins and then had been working in Windsor for six months. Single at the time of his enlistment, Ted joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in March of 1941. In late May of 1942, Pilot Officer Ted Parsons had received his commission from the R.C.A.F. and spent a furlough of two weeks with his mother in Sarnia before leaving for Lachine, Quebec. In March of 1943, his mother Olive Parsons in Sarnia would receive news that her son Arthur Parsons had been promoted to flying officer from pilot officer by the R.C.A.F. somewhere in England.
Ted Parsons would become a member of RCAF #77 Squadron “Esse Potius Quam Videri” (To be, rather than to seem), attaining the rank Flying Officer-Navigator. On May 1, 1943, Ted was a member of a crew aboard a Halifax aircraft that was lost to enemy action while engaged in night operations over enemy-held territory. Perishing with Arthur Ted Parsons were FS. T.D. Scarff; and Sgt.s I.D. Crawford (RAF), L. Hannam (RAF), R. Shepherd (RAF), and G. Watson (RAF). In early May of 1943, mother Olive was notified by personnel in Ottawa that her son, Flying Officer Ted Parsons, was reported as missing after air operations overseas. Later, Ted Parsons would be officially listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes, presumed dead. Twenty-seven year old Arthur Ted Parsons is buried in Muiden General Cemetery, Netherlands, Row E, Grave 85.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, K, L, M, N, 2C, 2D