George Charles Peek

A Private with 1st Bn., George died on 18th of June 1915 at the age of 31. 

George was born at Lowestoft on 2 September 1883, a son of James Charles and Mary A. Peek. In 1891 his family lived at Dove Street, Lowestoft. George attended Clapham Road School and, from 8 September 1891 was a pupil at Saint Margaret's School. In 1901 they lived at Wood's Buildings, Dove Street, and George was a labourer at the fish market. Later his parents lived at 9 Eastern Square, Whapload Road, Lowestoft.

George married Jane Ann Colquhoun in 1911: this was registered in the Tynemouth district. In 1911 they lived at 40 Northumberland Street, North Shields, and George was a fishworker. Later Jane lived at 4 Prospect Terrace, North Shields.

George volunteered and enlisted in the Army at North Shields. He joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, service number 16923. He was posted to the 1st Battalion and arrived in France on 17 February 1915. He served with Y Company. 

On 15 June 1915 the Battalion paraded and marched to Railway Wood, near Ypres, in preparation for an attack the following day. On 16 June the British artillery bombardment began at 2.50 a.m. and continued until 4.15 a.m. In response the Germans fired shrapnel, high explosive and gas shells toward Railway Wood. At 4.15 a.m. the attack began and the German front line trench was soon taken. The Battalion suffered rather heavily, but many prisoners were taken. The Battalion, after a short rest, made for the second line of German trenches. W and Y Company went to the left and had to bomb their way along the trench and the fighting was severe. Eventually the Battalion was outflanked, on both sides, and retired to the German front line trench that they had taken earlier in the day.  

On that day the Battalion had over 650 casualties. In Y Company ten men were killed, 52 wounded, including George, and 57 missing. 

George was taken to 9 Field Ambulance, where he died of his wounds. 

George was buried at Asylum British Cemetery, near Ypres. By 1924 he had been reburied at Bedford House Cemetery.