Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

William was born in 1875 in Southport. He lived with his parents John and Jane Peet and his younger siblings; one brother and five sisters, at various addresses in Southport.  He also had a brother and sister living in Australia.  At the age of 15, William was employed as an apprentice to a printer and by the age of 25 he was a print compositor (typesetter).

William attested in Stockport on 7 December 1915, aged 40.  His service began on 22 March 1916, and he was placed in the reserves.  He embarked from Southampton for Rouen on 7 September 1916, and joined the 4th Infantry Base Depot and posted to the 11th  Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.  William was wounded in action just ten days after arriving in France.

He passed through Peterborough East Station and signed the visitors’ book on 24 December 1916, he wrote that ‘The rest & comfort of this place appreciated to the full’.

Sixteen months later William was killed in action at the Battle of the Lys, he was reported as missing on 20 April 1918; ‘Death accepted for official purposes’, date presumed to be 10 April 1918”.  William was awarded the British War and Allied Victory medals.

The casulaty figures for March and April of 1918 are reported in the 11^th Cheshire War Diary as follows:

“March 1918 Casualties in month, 17 Officers and 412 Other Ranks

April 1918 Casualties in month, 12 Officers and 662 Other Ranks”

Do you recognise this soldier’s name?  Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Private William Peet.