Full Name: James Hewitt "Charcoal" Parker.
Date of Birth: 21 September 1872, Richmond.
Death: 19 September 1911 at work in Flinders St.
Honours
2018 Richmond Life Member
Biography:
Parker's 170 games from 1891- 1900 is the second most during Richmond's VFA period , behind Charles Backhouse.
He kicked 36 goals.
In September 1911, Parker died tragically at work as he repaired a pump plunger at a coppersmiths on Flinders St.
In an obituary published in The Ballarat Star shortly after his death it was written that "some years ago he was a prominent member of the Richmond Football Club and was a remarkably fine follower. Infact, for a long time he was regarded as practically the backbone of the team"
Until 2018, he was the only Richmond Senior Player who played 150+ games who was not a life member.
Parker's early, and tragic death, no doubt impacted in how his memory and standing in the club's history disappeared over the century.
In 1912 Annual Report, after his death, the Richmond Football Club wrote that:
"It is with the deepest regret that we have to record the sudden death of our one-time champion football, Mr James Parker, which took place last year, the result of an accident, while following his usual occupation. Sad to relate, the late Mr Parker left a wife and a family of young children, but thanks to the splendid efforts of Mr Hector Milne (hon secretary), assisted by Mr J J Stewart (hon. treasurer), and a good working committee, a sum of 460 pounds was collected together by various means for the benefit of the unfortunate widow and children"
Tragically followed the family when Parker's youngest son Edward (age 25) fell across a circular saw in Ebden Weir, Albury, after his clothing became snagged in the machinery. He died shortly after.
Parker's other son, James "Jimmy" Thomas Parker played for Richmond Reserves from 1919-1922, and served in WW1, and died in 1952 aged 55.
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