Pte
Charles Peck
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 12/11/1897 |
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Place of birth: Pakenham, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Gardener |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 19711 |
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Enlistment place: Sudbury, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Suffolk Regiment, 1/4th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 25/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Clapham Junction, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 19 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 162 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Charles was born in 1897 in Pakenham, Suffolk. He worked as a Gardner at Chelsworth Hall in Suffolk before enlisting. By the summer of 1917 Robert served as a private in the Suffolk Regiment 1/4th Battalion, part of the 98th Brigade, of the 33rd Division.
The 33rd Division participated in the Battle of Passchendaele, which raged between 31 July and 10 November 1917. On 26 September 1917, the 33rd Division attacked along the Menin Road, towards the hamlet of Polderhoek. Two days prior to the attack Charles’ Battalion moved into support. They occupied vacant trenches near Clapham Junction. Attempts to improve the trenches were followed by heavy shelling, as the Germans attacked the 33rd Division’s frontline. The shelling of the area continued during the night. Two of the 1/4th Suffolks’ Company Headquarters took a direct hit and six men were killed.
The 100th Brigade was ordered to regain the ground they lost on the 25th of September, while the 98th brigade was to cover the flank of the Australians who would advance through Polygon Wood. Consequently the 1/4th Suffolks were ordered to move to Fitzclarence Farm, almost North of Glencorse Wood and then to the line Black Watch Corner-Carlisle Farm. Throughout the day the 1/4th Suffolks were subjected to intermittent shelling and sniper fire.
Private Charles Peck was killed in action on 25 September 1917. The 19-year-old was possibly killed by shellfire while in support or while moving up to the frontline. Charles has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
The 33rd Division participated in the Battle of Passchendaele, which raged between 31 July and 10 November 1917. On 26 September 1917, the 33rd Division attacked along the Menin Road, towards the hamlet of Polderhoek. Two days prior to the attack Charles’ Battalion moved into support. They occupied vacant trenches near Clapham Junction. Attempts to improve the trenches were followed by heavy shelling, as the Germans attacked the 33rd Division’s frontline. The shelling of the area continued during the night. Two of the 1/4th Suffolks’ Company Headquarters took a direct hit and six men were killed.
The 100th Brigade was ordered to regain the ground they lost on the 25th of September, while the 98th brigade was to cover the flank of the Australians who would advance through Polygon Wood. Consequently the 1/4th Suffolks were ordered to move to Fitzclarence Farm, almost North of Glencorse Wood and then to the line Black Watch Corner-Carlisle Farm. Throughout the day the 1/4th Suffolks were subjected to intermittent shelling and sniper fire.
Private Charles Peck was killed in action on 25 September 1917. The 19-year-old was possibly killed by shellfire while in support or while moving up to the frontline. Charles has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Sources 5
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"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 89-90. Sources used |
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Further reference |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1416332/peck,-charles/ Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |
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War Diary Suffolk Regiment, 1/4th Bn. http://www.nmarchive.com/ Further reference |