Raymond Peake

After the usual training he joined the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards in France in April 1915 and in October 1915 was invalided home with pneumonia which affected his heart. Though not completely recovered he was anxious for service abroad again and went back out in July 1916 quite cheerful but under the conviction that he would not return. He was once again given command of a company and not withstanding his age and in September 1916 during the continued fighting on the Somme he was badly wounded in the leg by a shell whilst looking out a position near Berra Fait Wood for his company to take up.His leg was amputated in hospital and two days later he died from blood poisoning , the weakness of his heart from his previous illness probably contributing to his death. The following is an obituary from the Worksop Guardian Lieutenant Raymond Peake Worksop Guardian 6 October 1916Intimation has been received of the death in action of Lieut. Raymond Peake, eldest son of Major Peake, of Bawtry Hall. The Lieutenant was in the Coldstream Guards. He was at Eton, and later at Sandhurst, and joined the Army early in the war. Both Major and Mrs. Peake have been doing war work since the out break of hostilities, the Major being the principle recruiting officer for North Nott’s. A letter from his commanding officer to his parents stated :- Conspicuous for his ability as a soldier and for his charming personality as a brother officer,a special favourite with those who were above him and below him as well as amongst his own contemporaries. A brother officer wrote:- 'The Pluckiest fellow I have ever seen,though suffering agonies he gave directions about the bandaging as though he had never been touched. Lieut Raymond Peake The Retford Times 6/10/1916The heartfelt sympathy of all classes of all people in North Notts will be extended to Major and Mrs G Herbert Peake of Bawtry Hall, in the death of their eldest son, Lieutenant Raymond Peake, Coldstream Guards, who died from wounds received in action on Sept 26th.The Gallant young officer, who was born on May 25th 1896 was educated at St Peter’s Court, Broadstairs and at Eaton (E L Vaughan and A C Raynor Wood). He would have been Captain of his house but at the outbreak of war he left Eaton for Sandhurst passing out at Christmas 1914, when he joined the Coldstream Guards. He went out to France in April 1915 and was invalided home in October. He went out again in July this year and was wounded on Sept 26th when acting as Captain in charge of his Company. His leg was amputated and the brave fellow died in the Casualty Clearing Station on Sept 30th. Both Major and Mrs Peake have been doing splendid war work since the outbreak of hostilities, the Major being recruiting officer at Retford.

He is buried at Grove Town cemetery, Meaulte, France He had two brothers Osbert and harry who both subsequently served in the Coldstream Guards during the 'Great War' Also five first cousins on his fathers side of the family out of seven of military age were killed in the 'Great War'