Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Robert Peters was born September 18th 1895 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, the son of Dorothy Peters native of Felling born 1876. She married John Henry Spencer of Carlton, Nottinghamshire at St Mary’s Church, Heworth, Gateshead, December 31st 1898. His step father worked as a stone quarryman whilst they were living at Grange Terrace, Heworth in 1901 after the birth of his half-sister Ethel May, January 22 1900. His mother Dorothy gave birth to another daughter Annie Eleanor in October 1901 and a son Edward Morris Spencer October 23rd 1907. By 1911 the family had moved to 16, Laurel Street, Felling however William Robert was living with his maternal grandparents Robert Renninson Peters and his wife Rachael at 17, Crow Hall Lane, Felling. Although listed as being only 13 years old he was actually almost 16 years of age.
Soon after war had been declared on Germany some 20-30,000 men of the reserves of the Royal Navy were surplus and would not find jobs on any ship of war. This was sufficient to form two Naval Brigades and a Brigade of Marines for operations on land. When William Robert enlisted October 8th 1914, he was assigned to the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Portsmouth Battalion, Royal Navy Division as Private PO/625 after the battalion had been successfully withdrawn from Antwerp, returning to England, October 11th 1914. After a period of refit and training where the recruits were scattered in various locations and still short of many of the units, the Portsmouth Battalion as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, moved to Egypt attached to the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division in preparation for the Gallipoli campaign. Along with the 29th Division the 63rd made amphibious landings at Anzac and Cape Helles, Gallipoli, April 25th-26th 1915 and the land attack continued during the ensuing days.
Private PO/625 William Robert Peters Royal Marine Light Infantry was killed in action May 6th 1915 and interred at the Garrison cemetery later renamed Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, east side Alexandria, Egypt, grave A. 21. Some official records state A. 25 as his grave however CWGC records confirm A. 21. Grave A. 25 is the resting place of Private 446 A. Peters 1/ B. W. I. who died in 1916.
At the time of his death William was 19 years old and single, consequently his mother Dorothy received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His step-father John Henry Spencer died, district of Gateshead in 1921, followed by his mother, July 22nd 1924. Dorothy left probate in the sum of 156 pounds 7 shillings 9 pence to her daughters Ethel May Charlton and Annie Eleanor as yet unmarried. Ethel May Charlton nee Spencer died May 4th 1993 at Stockport, Greater Manchester aged 93 years, Annie Eleanor details unknown, Edward Morris Spencer died aged 85 at Salford, Lancashire in 1992.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 18/08/1916.
William Robert Peters is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and at Felling on F32.01 F32.05 and F32.23
