PETER ROBERTS 

Peter's Story.

Born in the Parish of St Paul’s, the son of Thomas and Eliza Roberts of 12 Gosbrook Street, Chester, husband of Catherine Roberts (nee Connor), 7 Commercial Row, Foregate Street, Chester. Brother to John Isaac Roberts. The 1901 Census shows him as a ‘Joiner’s Apprentice’.

He married at the Registry Office in Chester on 18^th April 1905, and had 4 children, Mary Elizabeth (1/5/07), Peter (15/11/08), Catherine (3/12/10), and Joseph (28/6/14).

He enlisted on 1^st September 1914 at the age of 30 years 4 months, and his papers show a tattoo on his right wrist.

The enlistment papers show his occupation as ‘stoker’, height 5’8”, weight 154lbs, chest 39”, grey eyes and black hair. He initially served in the 3^rd Battalion, and was a ‘contemptible’ of the Expeditionary Force.

The 2^nd Battalion had been at Jubbulore immediately before the war, but was posted to France in January 1915, becoming part of 84^th Brigade, 28^th Division.

Died aged 33 on 3^rd October 1915, possibly following an attack on the Hohenzollen Redoubt at Loos. This was attacked by the 2^nd Battalion on 3^rd October 1915, and suffered severe casualties. The Battalion War Diary records that on this day at 7.45, ‘The enemy delivered an unexpected attack on our left with Bombs and Machine Guns and eventually turned it. The Battn fought well but were driven back. Enemy occupied WEST FACE of HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Major Hill and Captain Lloyd were killed, 2/Lieuts, Paton, Norris and Aldersey wounded, 2/Lieuts Cole and Brien missing. Casualties from 30^th September to 3^rd October both dates inclusive:-

                                       Killed     Wounded    Missing    Total

Officers                             5               7                2             14

Other ranks                     43            153            166          362

At 5pm the Battalion was withdrawn to Vermelles, and relieved by the Middlesex Regiment on the 5^th, and withdrew to Annequin, where on the 8^th, the diary records,’Drill throughout the day, to restore smartness and discipline, lessened by the trials’.

Shortly after his death, the Regiment was posted to Salonika, via Egypt.

He was awarded British War and Victory Medal, which were sent to his widow along with Memorial Scroll and King’s Message. She was also awarded a pension of 22/6 per week.


Cheshire County Memorial Project would like to thank Chris Pate for this information on Peter.