Richard James's Story.
Birkenhead News 15 August 1917FORMER APPRENTICE OF MESSRS. WILLMER BROS.
Killed in Action.
Mrs. Peters, of 25 Thomas Street, Birkenhead, has been informed that her son, Private Richard (Dick) Peters, of the South Lancashire Regiment, was killed in action on August 3rd. In a letter received from his officer on Monday evening, the latter states that Private Peters, who was one of the Company’s Headquarter Runners was hit during the latest advance in the Ypres sector and died instantaneously. The officer adds “he was buried about two kilometres west of Lonnebeke*, by the Padre, so you have the small consolation of knowing that he was decently interred. During the short time he was with us he did his duty bravely and conscientiously and at the time of his death was carrying out his orders faithfully.
Private Peters who was exceedingly well-known and popular in Birkenhead, was 23 years of age and had been with the colours 16 months. He had previously been out at the front, but was stricken with dysentery, and was home in England up to a short while ago. An old member of the Shaftesbury Club, he was prior to being employed at Port Sunlight, an apprentice to Messrs. Willmer Bros. and Co., Ltd., in their Stereotyping department. He was married some 15 months and leaves a young wife, who resides with his widowed mother in Thomas Street. His other two brothers are also in the Army. Harry Peters is at present in hospital in Birkenhead, suffering from wounds, and Fred is a sergeant in another battalion of the South Lancashires. He and Richard had met each other, either going in or coming out of the trenches out yonder. The deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs. R. Peters and her husband’s mother and family in their sad loss.
*This is most probably Zonnebeke