George Peerless MM, 7th R.West Kent

[fjwiltshire]

I must get a move on with this research of the RoH of Blackham, Sussex.

George Edward James Peerless, G/2203, GS/2203 , born Fordcombe, Kent, 1894. His record didn't survive so I'll assume he enlisted early in the war. Would his number confirm that?

He landed in France 26th July 1915. I would assume that he took part on 1/7/1916, the attack on Montauban?

His award of the MM was gazetted issue no.29912 on the 19/1/1917. An educated guess that this was won during the attack on Schwaben Redoubt, Sept/Oct 1916. Other posts in the past talk of strong point 39. It appears to be at the plateau at the 150 contour. Is that feet or metres? Either way, it's uphill from St Pierre Divion with a steeper slope to the north.

I visited the Ulster Tower years back when the total eclipse of the sun happened. '98,'99 whatever. Amazing trip, wish I knew then.......

The ROH says he was wounded. And he survived the war despite the virtual destruction of the 7th in March 1918.

If anyone can fill in details so I can write a short, detailed account of his war experience I would be very grateful.

There is a sad, ironic postscript to George's story in that he died in a German air raid in London in October 1940.

But life's like that.

Frank

[Jonathan Saunders]

Probably enlisted on 4th Sept 1914 and went straight to 7th Bn, which was being formed and commencing training for war service.

George was appointed Lance Corporal and reported in the wounded list of Oct 1917 ... probably 4/8 weeks in arrears of actual wound date.

In July 1918 his name appears s in the Missing list, probably from 21st/23rd March 1918 fighting. He was actually taken a P.O.W.

Sad that he should die the way he did.

Sadly I have no information on his M.M. although the attack on the Schwaben Redoubt would fit.

Regards,

Jonathan S

[fjwiltshire]

Thanks very much Jonathan, that's very useful information. I'd never considered a POW.

The 7th seemed to be in the thick of some nasty scraps, I'll check to see if the war diary is online.

Best regards, Frank