Vincent Bushy Parker(11 February 1918 – 29 January 1946) was an Australian Royal Air Force flying ace, a prisoner of war and a serial escaper. He participated in the Second World War.
Parker's aunt and uncle adopted him at two year old, following the death of his mother. Parker emigrated to Australia with his adoptive parents. In Australia, Bohleville State School educated Parker in the 1930s. After his schooling, Kodak employed the teenage Parker. He also trained as a magician and an escapologist. As a magician he later worked with Leslie George Cole (The Great Lavante).
In 1938, in Sydney, he obtained a billet as a steward on the ship Ontranto and traveled to Britain. In May 1939 he trained as a fighter pilot at an RAF flying school in the UK. He then participated in the Battle of Britain. The RAF credited Parker with the five aerial victories during the war. And in August 1940, Parker baled out of his damaged Spitefire over Portland after a dog fight. Injuring his shoulder, he baled into the Channel and here, the German Navy captured him. As a prisoner of war, Parker escaping was constant. He escaped from Stalag Luft I and Stalag Luft III. In May 1942, the German prison authority sent Parker to a camp for high security risks called Colditz Castle.
Post liberation, in January 1946, an aviation accident killed Parker. Comrades in Colditz, Stalag Luft I and Stalag Luft III have described Parker in the literature. Parker was a talented card sharp, and one of the four outstanding lock pickers in the Schloss. The Colditz literature highlights many escape attempts used Parker's lock picking skills. Paying respect to Parker, Townsville City Council named Vincent Bushy Parker park in Rollingstone, Queensland Australia after him.
Early years
Parker was born in Co-operative Street, Chester-le-Street, on 11 February 1918, to Vincent and Lydia Wheatley. He was one of three sons. Parker's mother died aged 26 and his father was unable to cope with his work load alongside the responsibility of a young child. In 1920, aunt Edith and her husband John Parker adopted Vincent Wheatley. Following the adoption the Parkers changed Vincent's surname and in 1928 the Parkers emigrated to Australia. John found work on the railways and later, Edith found work as the station Mistress at a train station in Purono, North Queensland.
Bohleville State School educated Vincent Parker. Reports suggest Parker had an ability for acrobatics and athletics. On leaving school he moved to Townsville, and worked at Kodak on Flinders Street. At Kodak, a friend recalled Parker somersaulting out of a window. His goal was to catch an invoice caught in the wind. The window had an eight foot drop and his friend described the action as extraordinary. This stunt impressed a department store manager nearby, who offered Parker a job as a showman. His act at the store was confident, bordering on cocky. and later, a travelling magician caught his act and offered him a role as a travelling magician.
Months of performing over Australia took its toll. Tired; Parker moved to Sydney and in 1938, he obtained a billet as a steward on the cruise liner Ontranto. Parker also met the magician Leslie George Cole (The Great Lavante). Performing and socialising with Cole, he learned to master various methods of escapology.
Before World War II Parker visited Britain twice. His first visit was brief. On arrival his ship sailed back to Australia. In October 1938, via the Otranto, he returned to Britain. He visited the Wheatleys and stayed until February 1939. He learned his two brothers were fighter pilots. This made a big impression on Parker and he developed the enthusiasm to volunteer. He cabled his parents in Australia and asked for permission to join the RAF... On acceptance, he arranged to borrow money from his parents to pay for the flying school training.
RAF
He first trained at a civilian flying school. His training started in May 1939 and the training required three months of his time. His progression was rapid and he qualified in six weeks. On 22 July 1939, the RAF granted Parker a six-year service commission as a pilot officer on probation. He began his No. 11 Fighter Training School at RAF Shawbury in August 1939 and Parker gained his pilot's badge on 25 October 1939.
On 10 April 1940, the RAF posted Parker to 234 Squadron, RAF Leconfield from 11 FTS.
Second World War
The RAF regarded the Spitfire as expensive and an important resource. In 1940, the RAF circulated a message. They stated that they would accept no casual reason if a pilot damaged a plane. They explained they would transfer the pilot.