Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Peart was born in Crook, about 1891, one of 11 surviving children, (one deceased), 7 boys and 4 girls, born to John Peart, a miner from Crook, born October 17th 1863 and Dorothy Snowball born February 24th 1869 a native of Witton Le Wear. John and Dorothy were married August 1888 in the district of Bishop Auckland. William Peart worked as a hewer at Windlestone Colliery and was listed living with his family at 47 Tweed Street, Chopwell, in the census of 1911.
William Peart joined the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 13849. The 8th battalion was raised in Newcastle upon Tyne in August 1914 as part of Kitchener’s New Army. After initial training near home they arrived at Belton Park, Grantham. On April 4th 1915 they were assembled for final training at Witley and Frensham. Attached to the 34th Brigade, 11th Northern Division they proceeded to Gallipoli in July 1915 leaving Liverpool for Murdos, landing near Lala Baba, at Suvla Bay, August 15th 1915. Private 13849 William Peart 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was presumed to have been killed in action, on or after October 4th 1915 as he had not been seen since that day. William has no known grave and was killed during the Battle of Gallipoli which raged between April 25th 1915 - January 9th 1916, also known as the battle of Canakkale. His name is recorded on panel 33 and 35 of the Helles Memorial, a 30 metre high obelisk which stands on the tip of the Gallipoli peninsular visible by shipping in the Dardanelles. William Peart was 24 years old, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Two of William’s younger brothers also fought in the Great War. Thomas Victor Peart, born April 21st 1895 in White Lee, enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry, transferring to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, service number KP/931. He survived the conflict and died March 11th 1958 in Darlington.
Charles Harold Peart, born October 13th 1898 in Crook, joined the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 28/366 and was transferred to the Durham Light Infantry 5th Battalion as Private 64598. He married Mary Noble born March 3rd 1905 from Chopwell. Post war he moved to Leicester where he died in 1965, his wife survived him and died in Thurnby, Leicester in 1996.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace
William Peart is remembered at Chopwell on C92.01 and C92.02 at Chilton C107.04, C107.12 and C107.14 (Darlington D40.039)
