Neville Parker joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman on 18 December 1867, becoming Sub-Lieutenant in November 1872. He served aboard the Amethyst during the Ashantee expedition of 1873-74, and retired from the Navy in January 1877. The 1881 Census shows he was born at St John, New Brunswick, Canada and was a Boarder at Byker, Northumberland. In 1891 he resided at Ealing, Middlesex with his family. His father was Robert Parker, born St Andrews, New Brunswick 1822-1875 and his mother was Lavinia DuVernet, born Mt Lavinia, Ceylon 1830-1916.
