Tyne Cot Memorial
Tyne Cot Memorial: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Harold Ernest Peters was born at Windsor, Berkshire in 1883, one of 3 children he was the only son of Henry Thomas Peters born 1854 and Alice Emily Wellman born 1858, both natives of Windsor and where they were married in 1880. Harold had an elder sister Maud and a younger sister Nellie. His father was a coal merchant, they resided at Thames Street, and remained there even after his death in 1895 at the age of 41 years, Alice supported her children living on her own means. Harold aged 17 years was a pupil to a coal merchant, however, by 1907 he had moved to the north east where he met and married Jane Blair, known as Jennie, June 26th 1907, at her parish church, the Venerable Bede, Gateshead. Jennie was born at Gateshead May 30th 1881, daughter of George Blair, public house manager and his wife Eliza Jane of 5, Argyle Street, Gateshead. Their daughter Olive Estelle Peters was born at Felling, Gateshead, October 14th 1908. After his marriage Harold trained to be a dentist moving his family to 8, King Street, Rochester, Kent by 1911, where he was employed as a dental assistant, they later returned to Old Toll House Felling Gate where he had his own practice.
He enlisted at Felling, December 2nd 1915 for the duration of the war. Assigned firstly as a Private to the Army Reserve until August 21st 1916 where he was trained as a gunner and also qualified as a signaller. Mobilised August 26th 1916, posted as Gunner 114075 H. G. Peters, he embarked bound for France May 22nd 1917 where he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in the field June 6th and transferred to the 170th Siege Battery. The Siege Batteries R.G.A. used Howitzers, their main deployment was destroying or neutralising the enemy artillery, dumps, stores, roads and railways behind the enemy lines.
Gunner 114075 Harold Ernest Peters was killed in action October 31st 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 34,887 names inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing which forms part of the boundary wall at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, near Ypres, Belgium, commemorating servicemen from the United Kingdom and New Zealand who died on the Ypres salient as of August 16th 1917 and who have no known grave.
His widow received all monies due to him and a pension for herself and Olive Estelle of 20 shillings 5 pence a week as of May 27th 1918. February 22nd 1918 accompanied by a letter and as per his will, she received from the R.G.A. Station, Dover, his personal items consisting of; letters unopened, disc, letters, roll of tobacco, “Everyday” safety razor, belt, 3 pocket cases, broken pipe, broken watch and strap, safety razor, foot rule, 2 match box covers, cigarette case, wrist disc, cap badge, photos, cards, signallers certificate, signallers badge. Gunner Peters also plied his trade whilst at the front as also returned to Eliza Jane amongst his belongings were; dentist’s tools, 2 syringes, 2 spanners and a bottle of novocaine.
Jennie was informed October 15th 1920 that the body of her late husband had been exhumed from map reference J. 7. b. 85. 30. May 11th 1920, where it had been found during the clearing of the battlefields after Armistice and brought into Tyne Cot Cemetery, near Ypres, Belgium for reburial with all honours and reverence by an Army Chaplain, grave XXV. B. 21. A further disc had been found on his remains which had assisted the recognition of his identity, this too was sent to her. His awards of the British War Medal and Victory Meal were received by her at her home address of Old Toll House, Felling Gate, Felling, Gateshead, October 28th 1921.
Their daughter married at Gateshead May 1st 1935 to Keith Runciman Wilson born in 1907 at Tynemouth, Northumberland. They emigrated firstly to the United States and then to New Zealand. Olive Estelle Wilson nee Peters died February 4th 1983, aged 75 years, Keith Runciman Wilson aged 80 years, September 7th 1987, both registered Auckland, New Zealand.
In Gods safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 24/11/1917 carries a notice which reads:
“Gunner Harold Ernest Peters, R.G.A., killed abroad. Oct. 31st. Husband of Jennie Peters and son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Blair, Old Toll House, Felling Gate. Before enlisting, Gunner Peters carried on business as dentist at Felling Gate.”
Harold Ernest Peters is remembered at Gateshead on G39.024
