No.18562, Private, Peter KING
Aged 25
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Peter King was born in Wickhambrook (Risbridge Q4-1890 4A:598), baptised in Wickhambrook on 19th April 1891, son of Harry and Jane Julia KING
(née CHALLIS).
1891 census...Aged 3 months, he was at Tile Hall, Crows Road, Wickhambrook with his father Harry KING [36] farm labourer; his mother Julia [23]; brother Walter [5] and sister Flory [2]. All were born in Wickhambrook. 1901 census...Aged 10, he was at Peacock Farm, Wickhambrook with his parents (father now horsekeeper); sisters Florrie, Ethel [5] and Alice [1]; brother George [3]. The new children also born in Wickhambrook. 1911 census...Aged 20, a farm labourer, he was still at Peacock Farm with his parents; brothers Walter (farm labourer), George and Harry [7]; sisters Ethel and Alice. All seven siblings survived. Tile Hall Cottages is the address for his widowed mother (his father died in 1921) for CWGC. Peacock Farm being equidistant from Wickhambrook and Stradishall may account for him being named on both memorials |
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He enlisted in Newmarket in February 1915. Dying of his wounds in a hospital it is impossible to be sure, without his service records, when or when he was wounded. At that stage in the Battle of the Somme the 2nd Suffolks were engaged in the Bazentin-Longueval area. He died at No 1, New Zealand Stationary Hospital, Amiens. The Bury Free Press of 5th August 1916 recorded :- THE LATE PRVT.P.KING, OF WICKHAMBROOK :- It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of Prvt.Peter King, of the 2nd Suffolk Regiment, the second son of Mr. and Mrs.Harry King, of Farley Green. Prvt King, who had been in France for some months, was seriously wounded during the recent fighting. He was taken on to a hospital barge on July 21st, and passed away as stated below, in a letter received by Mrs. King:- "Barge A140, No 3 Amb.Flotilla, B.E.F. July 22nd 1916. Dear Mrs. King - it is with great sorrow that I have to write to tell you that your son, Prvt.P.King, 18562, 2nd Suffolk Regiment died on this hospital barge this morning at 1:20 a.m. He was admitted last night very seriously wounded, and everything possible was done to save him, but he passed away very quietly and without any pain. He asked me to write to tell you he was wounded, but he did not realise he was dying and so sent no messages. He will be buried tomorrow at the soldiers' cemetery at Amiens. He told me his religion was Church of England, and so the Church of England Chaplain will bury him. I am very sorry to send such bad news, and hope he was not your only child. I remain, yours sincerely, Helen L.Fox (sister in charge)". On Sunday evening at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, the Rev. T.Thompson made sympathetic reference to the death of Prvt King. As a lad he used to attend the Sunday School. Great sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. King in their great loss
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission and commemorated on the Wickhambrook war memorial. click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
