Eddie Castling & Andrew O’Sullivan have submitted the following:

George William Percy Peacock was born 2nd August 1892.

In 1905 he lived at 15 Elvet Bridge, Durham with his father George, who was an antique dealer, and his mother Margaret. By 1915 his parents were living at 31 Old Elvet and later at 19a Old Elvet.

He was admitted to Durham Johnston School on 13th September 1905, age 13 having previously attended the Boys’ Model School, Durham.

On leaving school he emigrated to Canada.

Jean Longstaff has submitted the following:-

Percy emigrated to Canada on finishing his education, and in August 1912 he applied for a Homestead Grant to farm land in Calgary, Alberta. January 1915 saw him enlisting in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Calgary, giving his occupation as farmer, he mentioned his time spent in the Durham Light Infantry and named his mother, now retired and living at 19a Old Elvet as his next of kin.

Private 34225 was posted to the 50th Battalion and found himself back in England in June, based at Shorncliffe Camp as part of the 9th Reserve Battalion. On 3rd August he was drafted overseas to join the 10th Battalion, arriving in France two days later and joining his new unit in divisional reserve.

The beginning of October saw the Battalion move into trenches south of Messines ready for a big attack on 13th. The trenches suffered under a heavy bombardment and it was here that Private 34225 Percy Peacock was killed in action on 14th October. He was buried in Rosenberg Chateau Military Cemetery, which was later renamed as Berks Cemetery Extension, near Hainault, Belgium.

George William Percy Peacock is remembered in Durham on D47.025, D47.048, D47.054 and D47.125

He is also remembered in Canada on their Virtual War Memorial and in their Book of Remembrance.

Canadian Book of Remembrance
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
The CWGC entry for Private Peacock