Harry Saint Hill Peskett

A Captain with C Company, 10th Battalion, Harry died on 13th of April 1917 at the age of 29. 

Harry was born at Lowestoft in 1888, a son of Frank and Mary Lorina Peskett. He was baptised at Saint John the Baptist Church, Shadinfield, on 8 January 1888. In 1891 his family lived at 148 London Road, Lowestoft. Harry’s mother died when Harry was quite young and his father remarried. By 1901 the family were living at 3 High Street, Lowestoft. From 1902 Harry was a pupil at Ipswich School. 

Harry moved to Argentina and was a farmer. At the outbreak of World War One he was an employee of estancia “La Ventura”, Pasman. Harry returned to England and arrived at Liverpool on 3 October 1914, in order to enlist. He was a member of the League of Fontiersmen and many members were commissioned in the Army in the early stages of World War One. 

In November 1914 Harry was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He served with the 10th Battalion and arrived in France with the battalion in late July 1915. 

Harry was slightly wounded on 12 July 1916. On 16 July the 10th Battalion were ordered to proceed to the Chalk Pit in order to support the 111th Brigade attack at Pozieres. The attack began at 9 a.m. but the brigade failed to attain their objectives. At 4 p.m. the attack was resumed, and the 10th Battalion formed the fourth wave of the advance. Again, the objective was not taken, and the battalion suffered about 40 casualties including Harry, who was wounded and evacuated for treatment. On 23 November 1916, having recovered, Harry rejoined the 10th Battalion.  

In January 1917 Harry was promoted to Captain and he served with C Company. On 9 April 1917 the 10th Battalion moved to positions west of Arras in preparation for the forthcoming attack. The 10th Battalion’s War Diary gives the following details for 11 April 1917:

During the night, orders were received that the Loyal North Lancashires were to continue the advance and attack at 05:00hrs going through East Lancs and attacking the trenches, having as our objective the ‘Green Line’ and in particular the wood in 0.8 Central. (5 a.m.) The Battalion having previously got into position for such advance, almost immediately came into full view of the enemy and was met with very heavy machine gun and shell fire. (5.30 a.m.) We received orders not to advance until barrage opened. By this time, we had carried by assault, the enemy trench in front (east of Sunken Road) and were establishing ourselves in shell holes 100 yards further east. It was at this time that Captain Peskett, 2nd Lieutenant Ibbotson and 2nd Lieutenant Goodman were killed.

The battalion’s losses in that attack were estimated at 60% of their fighting strength. In fact, Harry had been wounded and he succumbed to his wounds on 13 April. Given where Harry is buried it is likely that he was at 8 Casualty Clearing Station when he died. 

The Lowestoft Journal, 28 April 1917, page 3, published a letter sent to his family from the Colonel of the regiment:

“It is with heartfelt sympathy that I write to condole with you upon the loss of your dear son Captain H. St. H. Peskett. You will be mourning the loss of your beloved son, we will mourn the loss of a trusted and beloved fellow officer. His loss is being felt by all ranks with whom he was not only respected and admired but loved. He met his death in a glorious manner, having been wounded when cheering and leading his men during a most critical part of the fight. If he had lived I intended recommending him for the Military Cross, a decoration he richly deserved. He was a charming fellow, and his men adored him, and would have followed him anywhere. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your sad loss, and all my officers join with me in such.”   

Harry is remembered on the war memorials at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft, and at Ipswich School. 

See house on LowestoftOldAndNow.org