Peters William Leith 1896

William Leith Peters
1896-1958

Father Nm: Alfred James Peters born 1856 • Deptford, Kent died 1903 Greenwich

Mother Nm: Alice Georgina Wheatley born 1861 • London, Kent died 1911 Camden

Marriage Dt: 23 Aug 1921 • Holy Trinity, Blackheath Hill, England

K Comments: Wife May Edith Blencowe [4544] served in WRAF before they were married  . Brother Alfred died in 1917 when in action with the Rifle Brigade
Spouse comments: Wife May Edith Blencowe [4544] born 19 JUN 1894 ,  Rotherhithe died 1970 Bromley

Children. . Doreen M Peters born 1927

BORN 1896

30 AUG 1896 • Greenwich, Kent

1911 CENSUS

details

WW1

Royal Flying Corps

Royal Air Force

William Leith Peters, Airman Mech 2,3 (Photographer) 85864 RFC, IX (9)  Squadron, RAF

1917
  • It would appear that William was initially serving in the Army before June 1917 but we have record details other than his RAF records that indicate this.
  • 27 June. William joins the RFC as an Air Mechanic 2 and it seems trained to be a flight photographer.
1918
  • 1 April. Along with all RFC personnel, he is transferred to the newly formed RAF. He is transferred as a Air Mechanic 3 this seems to have been a temporary demotion as 1 May he is re-classified AM2. Note Williams classification was Photographer and so it is presumed he was actively engaged in aerial recognissance

    An observer of the Royal Flying Corps in a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c reconnaissance aircraft demonstrates a C type aerial reconnaissance camera fixed to the side of the fuselage, 1916
  • 25 May. Trandsferred from the Recruit Depot to 8 Wing
  • 9 June. Sent overseas to France to join IX (B) Squadron or  9 Squadron. Re-equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8s in May 1917, using them for artillery spotting and contact patrols.In March 1918. While it started to receive Bristol Fighters in July 1918, it did not completely discard its R.E.8s until after the end of the war.
  • William joins the 9 Squadron as it plays a part in the final 100 day war as it advanced on a alled advance several records exists t show the whereabouts of the 9 Sqn in this period. The 9 Sqn engaged in what is termed Tactical ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and in coordination with Army ground force units. Photographers taking critical shots of troop deployments etc.
    Photographic interpretation of enemy trenches at the RFC HQ at Arras, France in February 1918 (c) Air Historical Branch, MOD (AHB)

     

  • 17 July-14 August. The Sqn providing ISR for Battle of Amiens based at an airfield near Quevauvillers.
  • Air incidents report the following a Lt Brandon KIA  9th August. From war forum “B4105 RE8 9Sqn
    **LowP heavy ground mg fire, shot up over map reference Sht 62c S21.b (Capt R Hilton OK/2Lt E Brandon KIA) left 12-45pm returned 3-45pm, they were patrolling from 300′ to 1500′ This comes out of the relevant expanded ‘The Sky Their Battlefield’ entry.” “Looking at the map it would be safe to assume they flew a reasonably straight easterly course from the airfield at Quevauvillers to the west of Amiens towards Ablaincourt.”

    The trench map showing flight path from.Quevauvillers to Ablaincourt as speculated in the war forum text above
  • 15 August. 9 Sqn moved to Amiens airfield.
  •  7 September. 9 Sqn moved to Proyart.
  • 15 September. 9 Sqn moved to Athies.
  • 6 October. The Squadron moved to Montigny Farm

    • Map shows the movements of the 9 Squadron in the Somme area in 1918
  • 18 October, 9 Sqn to Premont Farm some 19 kms south of Cambrai.
  • 29 October.9 Sqn to Tarcienne in Belgium. It in operations from this location that William is wounded or injured.
  • 6 November. Wounded. Admitted to 6 General Hospital Rouen with Contusion to Right Leg

    A General Field Hospital Rouen. Army Hospital at Rouen while not the 6th General it does show the Doctors, Nurses and a typical ward of the time.
  • 15 November transferred to 74th General Hospital at Trouville.
  • 28 December. William evacuated to University Hospital Southampton.

    Univ Hospital Southampton 
1919
  • 11 February. William is transferred to the ‘G’ Reserves of RAF.

Note No. 9 Squadron returned to the UK in August 1919, arriving at Castle Bromwich where it remained until disbanding on 31 December 1919

 

MEDALS
Awarded British War Medal and Victory Medal
SOURCES
    1. Ancestry  and BFA database
    2. Air Power on the Western Front in 1918
    3. Great War forum re 9 Sqn
AFTER THE WAR
1939 CENSUS

Lewisham, London
Elsie M Peters 45
William Peters 44 Grocery Manager at Royal Arsenal Coop

DEATH 1957

July 1958, Sidcup, Kent.

GALLERY

There are service records in the National archives for this person they can be viewed and download from their website https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/