Walter James Peachey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Walter was born in 1889 the son of Walter James Peachey (senior) a general labourer and Eliza Peachey née Bavester. Both his parents were born in 1863 in Cambridgeshire and married in 1889 in London. They had ten children seven surviving infancy - Walter b.1890 Highbury, Bertha b.1891 Highbury, Kate b.1893 Highbury, Alfred Charles b.1895 Highbury, Fred b.1899 Cambridge. Laura b.1904 Cambridge and Lizzy b.1910 Cambridge. In 1911 the family was living at 27 Cambridge Place Hills Road Cambridge. Walter James had left the family home to live at Egmanton near Tuxford with Joseph Pearson, a farmer, and his wife Caroline.
When Walter enlisted he gave his birth place as Highbury and his place of residence as Retford. He served with the 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters and according to his medal index card first entered a theatre of war in France on 24th March 1915. He was killed in action on 5th July 1916 and is buried in London Cemetery and Extension, Longeuval, Somme, France. grave reference 10.G.13
Following is an article published in the Retford Times 17 November 1916 'Pte Walter Peachy Pte Walter Peachy, 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters was killed in action in France during the July offensive. The deceased hero went to Weston some ten years ago from the Boys’ Farm Home, East Barnet; and after a short residence there went to Egmanton as a farm servant. Before joining the colours in 1914 he was with Mr J Gale, The Manor. He was a member of the Wesleyan Chapel and also in the choir.'
