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This data is related to World War 1
Sapper

Arthur John Kershaw Peters

Service Number 59299
Military Unit Royal Engineers
Date of birth Unknown
Date of Death 18 Feb 1916 (33 Years Old)
Place of Birth Hucknall Torkard Nottinghamshire
Employment, Education or Hobbies "Arthur John Kershaw Peters entered the University, in the Faculty of Engineering, on October 10, 1913, having matriculated in June 1913. He was aged 31 and both his Galway address and home address were 17 Dominick St. His parents were Edwin Kershaw Peters and Elizabeth Peters. He had been educated at Municipal College, Grimsby. His Dean of Residence here was Dr. Clarke (one of the Deans for non-Catholic students). He passed the First Engineering examination in Summer 1914 with Second-class Honours and, on the results of that, was awarded a Second-Year Scholarship in the School of Engineering for 1914-15. He did not, however, sit the Second Engineering examination in Summer or Autumn 1915; the following extract from the Academic Council Minutes of May 6, 1915 explains why. "The Report of the Class Roll Committee was adopted. In the case of A. Anderson and K. Peters, scholars (i.e., holder of Scholarships) who had joined the Army, the following Order was made (to apply generally). “Students who join the Army are to be allowed when they return to take up the same academic position they had at time of leaving as regards College standing and fees: unpaid instalments of Scholarships to be retained for them and special consideration to be given them as regards the period of College session at which they come back." Information kindly supplied from the University Register by the National University of Ireland, Galway, and courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1014-11918.
Family History

Arthur John Kershaw was born in 1882 in Hucknall the son of Edwin Kershaw Peters a grocer and Elizabeth Peters nee Plumb of 101 Legsby Ave, Grimsby. His father was born in 1850 in Derby, his mother was Elizabeth Plumb was born in Hucknall Torkard in 1861, they were married in 1877 in Basford and went on to have a further son Walter Edward born 1879 in Hucknall In the 1911 census his parents are living at 101 Legsby Ave, Grimsby, they are shown as Edwin Kerhaw Peters 60yrs a grocer ,he is living with his wife Elizabeth 50 yrs. an assistant in his business. He married Amy Gertrude Booth (born 13th December 1882) in 1912 in Lambeth, London and they lived at 15, Leppoc Rd, Clapham, London and later 15 Spencer Road, Herne Hill, Surrey, they had a son Edwin Kershaw born 1st April 1914. His probate was proven (with will) at London on 9th June 1916 and shows him as Arthur John Kershaw Peters, of 15 Spencer Road, Herne Hill , Surrey, Sapper, 78th company, R.E. died 18th February 1916 in France on active service, His effects of £113 3 shillings and 8 pence were left to Amy Gertrude Peters widow. Following his death his widow Amy was awarded a pension of 15 shillings a week which commenced on 28th August 1916

Military History

Sapper Arthur John Kershaw Peters enlisted in the Royal Engineers at Galway and landed in France on 15th July 1915, where he served with the 78th Field Company. On 18th February 1916, the 33 year-old was hit by shellfire, dying of his wounds shortly afterwards at 13th General Hospital, Boulogne. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, grave reference VII D 56.

Extra Information

Extracts from letters sent by his comrades to his parents were published in the local newspaper. Sgt. James Hebden wrote: “Sorry for his loss; his behaviour under fire was always steady; an example to the rest of the men; he was a man upon whose steadiness and intelligence I could safely rely upon in all circumstances.” Corporal Dumbell: “A great loss to us; a more upright man it would be hard to find; always eager to help others; he did his duty nobly and well; and shall cherish his memory as long as I live.” Sgt. Worthington (who dressed Peters’ wound), Cpl., later Sgt., James George Adams D.C.M. and Cpl. Brown wrote: “His loss came as a shock to us; our comrade was deeply respected for his courage and the manner he carried out the duties entrusted to him.” Above extracts were published in the Hucknall Dispatch 16th March 1916 and are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918

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