Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

John William Peel was born in Carlisle in 1892, and by 1911 was living at 27 Splight Court, King Street, Carlisle with his parents Joseph, a coalman with Caledonian Railway and Margaret (Davidson) and brother James (18).  John was 19 years old and working as a dyer in the cotton industry.

John married Edith Knott in Rotherham on 3 August 1912 and lived in Howard Street, Rotherham.  They had six children – Edith Jane, born 28 November 1912, Annie born 3 March 1915, Jack (1919), William (1922), Leonard (1927) and Herbert (1930), all born in Rotherham.

John attested on 5 January 1915, joined the 5^th Yorks and Lancs Regiment in February 1915.  Following the disbanding of this regiment he transferred to the 2/4 Yorks and Lancs.  He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 29 November 1915, finally being demobilised in March 1919 and awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

John passed through Peterborough East Station on 29 October 1916 and signed the visitors’ book saying that he “Enjoyed the refreshments and appreciated very much the kindest shown”.  He was travelling with Private V Jackson and they were both stationed at Wellingborough.

On the 1939 Register John was widowed and living at 8 Francis Street, Rotherham with his children; his occupation is given as general labourer.  Edith died in 1931.  In 1943, he married Elizabeth Hewitson in the district of Northumberland West.  It appears that he then probably went back to live in the Carlisle area as he died in the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle on 6 May 1962, aged 69.

Can you tell us more about John Peel? Please get in touch if you can.