Hello Howard,
Sounds like a fascinating project (aswell as a marathon task !)
I have quite a few MM groups with research/citations/photos/original docs etc etc
Here is one I purchased direct from the recipients daughter. I have put together a brief write-up (see below)
I have a large coloured photo of Pte Peters aswell as all original documents including orignal hand written MM reccomendation,LG entry,newspaper article,photo with mate,2 x bibles,business card and photo of his friend and Officer Lt Glover,over 100 postcards he wrote home,cap badge etc etc :-
I can provide photos if you let me know what you want
Joseph William Peters was born on 5th June 1897 in Neston, Wirral, in Cheshire. He was the eldest Son of Mr and Mrs Henry Peters of Raby Rd, Neston who ran a local greengrocery business.
Joe was working in the Neston coalmine when war broke out and having turned 18 he enlisted into the 3rd Battalion Cheshire Regiment on 8th December 1915. This Battalion was a Reserve Battalion which provided drafts and when Joe had completed his training he was transfered to The 6th Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment via another 'active' Cheshire Battalion.
After been involved in heavy fighting, the 1/6th Warwicks left France and entered Italy in November 1917. Going off the dates on the postcards Joe sent back home, I can establish he was with the Battalion when they entered Italy.
They were kept behind the lines and were trained in hill fighting until March 1918 where they held a position on the Montello.
Joe was to send many postcards home during his time in Italy, most of which are very interesting and give an insight into Joe as a person. According to Joe's youngest daughter Elaine, (from whom I bought the medals) he was a very modest man and never really talked about the war. Judging from his writing on the postcards this would seem to be true. He makes no comment on any of the horrors he must of seen and endured. On several cards he apologies for not writing sooner. Here are several examples.
"I'm sorry, I will reply when I can as I have a lot to do at present"
"My Dear Sister, I am very sorry in that not having wrote you a letter for such a long while but I have been very busy. I hope you don't mind".
"I am so sorry at not having wrote you a letter lately but I could not, but will in a few days".
"My dear Mother & Dad, I have been unable to write for a few days but still I hope you are not upset."
I suppose what Joe meant by 'been busy' and having "a lot to do at present" was been in the thick of the action. These apologies from Joe correspond with when the 6th Warwicks were heavily engaged. One such event was on 15th June when the 1/5th Battalion were heavily bombarded before been overrun by Austrian Infantry. The 1/7th in the rear along with 1/8th in support held the line whilst Joe's 6th Battalion were brought forward. The book "The Battle on the Asiago" states : -
"In the course of the day the 6th & 7th recovered Perghele, together with the guns which had been lost the day before, thus completely re-establishing the line; the 6th carried their counter attack that evening into Ambrosini across the Ghelpac. The loss of the enemy was severe, that on our side light."
It goes on to say - "Early October General Diaz decided to take the offensive, and gave Lord Cavan the command"
This offensive involved trench raids, one of which was carried out on the 4th October. Joe was to take part in this raid and win the Military Medal. The raid was to take place on an Austrian sector of trench called 'The Ave'.
'History of the 1/6th Warwickshire's describes :-
"On the night of 3rd/4th October, under the temporary command of Major R W Fox we left our huts in support and filed through the woods down Star Track to the South Sisto Road. Jumping-off tapes had been laid out well infront of our line by the Battalion Scouts, and on these the Battalion formed up about 4am. At 4:30 our barrage came down and the leading Companies found the enemy's front and support lines pulverised and almost empty. Red Redoubt gave one kick and then expired, yeilding up the ghosts of some Eighty prisoners and Two machine guns. A and C Companies passed through and dealt very faithfully with the Quarry "B" Redoubt and Lone Tree House. Prisoners everywhere abounded ; it seemed as if they came trickling from an inexhaustible resevoir in Asiago at the first sound of a barrage, to supply the wants of the Royal Waricks.After an hours stay in the Austrian lines scouring holes and crannies for more victims to grace the triumph, the Battalion withdrew and counted out itself and its captures. Four machine guns were taken that morning and 148 prisoners to the Battalion's Twenty-one casualties all told. The same day we went out into huts at Granezza to gloat over our prowess."
The Battalion War Diary extract for the raid is as follows :-
"At 04:30 hrs the 6th Battallion R War R carried out a most successful raidon Ave N and enemy trench system in the vacinity 150 prisoners and 4 M.Guns were taken and the remainder of the garrison killed or wounded. Dugouts and shelters were bombed and in most cases set on fire. Our casualties were - 1 killed, 2 missing and 26 lightly wounded"
A week after the raid Joe sent one of his many postcards to his Sister. Again he apologizes for not writing sooner and explains "I am quite well and having a good time. We are having glorious weather here now". - No mention of anything other than day to day things like the weather !
The original recommendation for Joe's award reads :- "For bravery and devotion to duty on Oct 4th 1918 ............... and he showed great coolness and determination especially in the clearing of dugouts (several of them unaided) - thereby taking several prisoners. He was exceptionally cool throughout and proved of immense assistance in the location of enemy positions and dugouts.
In previous occasions he has shown great ability and daring. He has been with me on every patrol and has been an excellent example to others"
The following article appeared in Joe's local newspaper,
"MM FOR LOCAL SOLDIER - Distinction has been confered upon another Neston soldier. Private Joseph Peters, eldest Son of Mr & Mrs Henry Peters, Raby Rd, who has gained the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery on the battlefield. Before enlisting he was employed by Mr J Glynne, Moorside and joined the colours as soon as he was old enough. He has already seen much active service on the Italian Front. In a recent letter he writes: "I have reached my Battalion after a weeks leave, and on arriving was decorated with the Military Medal which I won on the 4th of October". He can be assured of a hearty welcome on his return."
The Officer who reccomended Joe for th Military Medal was Lt Montigue Charles Glover who was also decorated for his part in the raid. He was awarded the Military Cross :- LG 01.02.1919
"For conspicuous gallantry and determined leadership in a raid on 'Ave' on 4th October 1918. He led his platoon with courage and ability, and set a very fine example to those under him"
I have with the medal group an envelope addressed to Joe from Lt Glovers parents after the war. It held a letter, thanking Joe for saving their Son's life. Joe's daughter informed me that Lt Glover was wounded and Joe saved him by carrying him out of harms way. I also have what looks like a 'Business Card', with Lt Glover's name and address on it (Leamington Spa) According to Joe's daughter, Lt Glover and Joe became good friends after the war and sent each other letters and cards frequently. (I have been told these letters will be passed on to me when they are found)
Joe was discharged on 12th Jan 1919 and returned home.....No doubt to his hearty reception.
The following paragraph gives a brief account of Joe's life after the war. (Kindly supplied by Elaine, Joe's daughter)
He married my mother,Sarah Edge, from Heswall, Wirral on 19.10.1922. He was born, and lived all his life in Neston, Wirral. Cheshire. They had five children (me being the youngest)
Before joining the army he worked in the Neston coalmine (I believe this closed in th 20's sometime). When he came home from the war, he worked for his parents in their greengrocery business . In 1932 he bought his first shop (fishmongery and greengrocers) and eventually went on to buy four more. He was a very hard worker and was well liked by his staff and his customers. The whole family worked in the business with him.
He retired in 1963 and my brothers carried on the business until the mid 70's when they sold and retired.
As I told you, he was very modest and did not talk about the war very much. He had a large circle of friends and when he retired he and my mother enjoyed a lot of holidays abroad. He passed away in August 1986.
