Colin McMillan has provided the following:
Peter Givens was born in or about 1884 in Netherwitton, Northumberland. In 1891 he was the fifth of seven children born to Peter Givens snr, a 41 year old woodman born in Tritlington, and 39 year old Jane Givens who was born at Crosshill a few miles south west of Whittingham. His siblings were Alice Givens (16), Joseph Givens (14) an apprentice gardener, Ann Givens (12), Wallace Givens (10), Ada Jane Givens (5) and William Givens (3). Peter Givens Snr must have moved around Northumberland as some of his children were born in Pegswood, Widdrington and Bothal. Only Peter and his younger siblings were born in Netherwitton.
By 1901 Peter was living as a boarder with the Davison family at Granby Buildings, Morpeth, working as a grocer. He was 17 and single.
The 1911 census shows that he was still living with the Davisons. The address given was 4 Granby Buildings and his occupation was a grocer’s assistant. He was still living there when he joined the army and was placed in the Royal Garrison Artillery and given the service number 72690. Although the Cenotaph has him as “driver” all other documents give him the rank of “gunner”.
Peter Givens served with 121st Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and died of wounds on 16th October 1918.
Peter Givens is remembered in Morpeth on M17.01, M17.09 and M17.29
