Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Wallace Edwin Panter was born in Cottingham, Northampton on 23 July 1898, to parents Fred and Mary.   By 1911, his parents were running their own bakery, assisted by another son, George.  Wallace was still at school aged 12.  Older siblings Elizabeth (27) was a tailoress, Frederick (23) was a clerk in a clothing factory and Annie (19) was at home.

He enlisted for the Navy on 22 March 1917, and appears to have spent all his service in the UK at various training bases learning the skills of a telegraphist.  He passed through Peterborough East Station  and signed the visitors’ book on 30 October 1917.  He wrote: “I highly appreciate the
Kindness and comfort with which soldiers & sailors meet with at the ‘Rest Room’ Peterboro Station. It appeals to me that it takes for its motto “Kindness costs nothing””

He was discharged on 6 March 1919 and awarded the British War and Allied Victory medals.

Wallace married Ruby Jackson in Leicester in 1935 and they had three children, all registered in the Market Harborough district.

We have traced Wallace and Ruby on the 1939 Register and they are living at Glen Crest, Sutton Bassett, Kettering and Wallace is working as a school master.  Also living with them is their daughter Elsa M, born 16 December 1937.  Wallace remained in the Kettering area throughout his life, passing away in 1972 at the age of 73.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Wallace and his family.