James William Peel

Private James William Peel, enlisted at Hucknall, he served with the 1st battalion West Yorkshire Regiment he landed in France on 28th December 1914. After being hospitalised in Rouen for rheumatism in August 1915, he succumbed to wounds on 27th October 1915 aged 32. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

It was reported on 4th March 1915 in the Hucknall Dispatch that L/Cpl. James William Peel, 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, had been recognised in a film shown at the Scala Picture House, Annesley Road, Hucknall. “The third photograph is of Lance-Corporal J. W. Peel, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, who married a daughter of Mr. Coupe. This soldier has had the misfortune to be wounded in the shoulder, but happily, not seriously. In this connection a strange incident has occurred, the soldier being recognised on a film screened at the Scala Picture Palace. He was in the hospital having his hair cut, and was recognised by many people. On this fact being mentioned to Mr. Morley, the manager, it was again specially shown, and the portion referring to Peel was cut out and given to the wife of the soldier. “In letters he has sent home, he referred to some narrow shaves he had had, and expresses the opinion that the Germans had already had more than they bargained for.” Above information is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918