Sgt. William Cuthbert Peterson 26/06/ /11/1917

Transcription

1 Sgt. William Cuthbert Peterson 26/06/ /11/1917

2 2

3 Introduction This is the story of one member of the Peterson family who volunteered for service in WW1 and never came back. The research by his eldest sister s granddaughter has been determined and tenacious - especially in locating his medals. Yes, there has been some luck but mainly hard work and a desire to know something about this young man of the family. One objective was to raise awareness in younger family members about the sacrifices made by young men who were trying to make the world a safe and better place for future generations. This summary has been compiled from various documents and there is inevitably some duplication - and likely some omissions. It has been an emotional journey but rewarding. It is still ongoing as more details of both Billy and his life are uncovered. However, a major part of the journey is over now that his medals and war memorabilia are safely back in the family. If anyone in the family has other mementos or memories of Billy that they are prepared to share, then please contact: Elaine Boyd elco@xtra.co.nz All items will be treated carefully and returned if requested. Especially welcome would be anecdotes that reflect the character and personality of this young man. 3

4 Copy of the entry for William Cuthbert Peterson on the national war memorial database held by the Auckland War Memorial Museum 4

5 William Cuthbert s Family - Parents & Siblings 5

6 6

7 WILLIAM CUTHBERT PETERSON (updated May 2011) b. 26 June 1894 (Dunedin) d. 30 November 1917 (Polderhoek, Belgium) Sergeant, 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment NZEF (serial no. 7/1885) Also Canterbury Mounted Rifles Buried - Hooge Crater Cemetery (IXA. H.8) Ieper/Ypres, Belgium William Cuthbert Peterson was the second son and second youngest of 6 children born to John Anton Peterson (born Johan Anton Persson), who emigrated to NZ from Sweden at age 26 yrs, and Ada Isabel Peterson (nee Longhurst), who was born in Walthamstow, UK and emigrated to NZ with her parents. The firstborn of their family was Matilda Ada Isabella (ka Ada) Peterson, who married Hugh Henry (ka Jock) Masters, and they were my paternal grandparents. My interest in William Cuthbert Peterson (WCP) was ignited in 2008 when my youngest son, Mark, and his family, were transferred to Brussels. I did not know anything about WCP except that he was buried in Belgium during WW1, and so began a search for more information! In fact the only recall I had of anything to do with the name 'Peterson' in the family was hearing Nan (Ada Masters) talk about Ian and Louie Peterson who I think lived in Eketahuna or Paihiatua (or was it Stokes Valley?). I have now discovered that Ian Cassells Peterson was the youngest son of John Stephen Peterson (2nd child of John Anton P and Ada Isabel P). To understand more of WCP's background and before looking at his war service history, it may be useful to know the following: His father, Johan Anton Persson (JAP) was born in Stamnared, Halland, Sweden in 1834, the 7th and youngest child of Per Jonasson (latterly known as Per Netterburg, as men were renamed if/when they went into the army or navy) who drowned while in service as a soldier (yes that's what it says!) in the Swedish Navy - and Josefina Britta Bengtsdotter (JAP s mother). JAP arrived in New Zealand in 1860 having previously moved from Stamnared to Onsala, Sweden, at the age of 16yrs. He would have anglicised his name to John Anton Peterson either before emigrating, or on arrival in New Zealand in He was naturalised in 1910 probably because he needed to at this time/age to qualify for superannuation. I have no information about his whereabouts or employment in NZ until 24 May 1881, when at the age of 47 years he married Ada Isabel Longhurst (AIP) who was only 21 years old, at All Saints Church, Dunedin. His death certificate states that his occupation was "Chainman" (surveyor s assistant). John and Ada Isabel's 6 children were born between 1882 and 1896 and we have found records for the youngest 2 having attended Forbury School in Dunedin. AIP died in 1914 aged 54 years of a cerebral haemorrhage (stroke). JAP died 3 years later at the age of 83 yrs. They are buried at Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. WCP enlisted (voluntarily) for service in the NZ Army in June At the time of enlistment his occupation was "station packer". I immediately thought of 'station' as in 'trains' but his employer was named as "Dr Ackland" and further research confirmed that he indeed worked at Mt Peel Station the home of the well known Ackland family. He embarked with C Squadron, 2nd Battalion of the 8th reinforcements in November 1915, serving in France where he was wounded 21 September 1916 during the battle of the Somme - 2 months after having been promoted to Lance Corporal. On 5 October 1916 he was transferred to hospital in the UK, firstly Southern Hospital in Birmingham for treatment to the severe wound in his left thigh and also a wound to an ear, and 7

8 then to Hornchurch convalescent hospital in Essex for 3 months before returning for further service on the Western front (France and Belgium). (The exact details of where he was posted to & was in action require further research as his army history only gives the dates & details of the various Regiments and Corps to which he was deployed) In October 1917 after Passchendale he was promoted to Sergeant but sadly soon after this he was reported as "killed in action" on 30 November 1917, and buried, at Polderhoek - although his grave is now at Hooge Crater cemetery. The history of this cemetery states that it began in October 1917 but after the Armistice at the end of 1918 it was greatly increased by the concentration of graves from smaller cemeteries and from some battlefields. I wish I could at least say that he was killed during a successful battle against the enemy, but it appears that on November 30th 1917 the Allied forces in the area were completely surprised by a fierce attack by the Germans. (see description at the end) The allies were preparing (perhaps too hastily in order to accomplish this task before the winter weather became even worse than it already was) to try to take over Polderhoek Chateau from the Germans as the chateau was on top of a hill giving them a huge advantage in spotting any movement or action by the allied forces nearby. "Killed in Action" - always sad and a waste of a promising young life but in this case some extra poignancy because the family, and my grandmother Ada in particular, had experienced several deaths and other losses during the previous 8 years Emma, one of her sisters, drowned, Possible suicide, 6wks after giving birth to her first child 1913 Eric, son of her sister Alice died at 10 months of age from whooping cough 1914 Ada s eldest son Hugh John (ka 'Boy') died at the age of 11 from rheumatic fever. 2 months later her mother (AIP) died at the age of her 'little brother' WCP (he was 12 years younger than Ada) enlisted for the army and went overseas her husband Hugh Henry Masters enlisted for the army and was posted overseas leaving her with the 4 younger, but growing boys to bring up alone. He didn't return until her sister Alice lost another son, 2 yr old William, this time to diphtheria, in September. Then her father JAP died in November and 3 weeks after this her brother WCP was killed. From the Evening Post (Wellington, Issue 144, 15 December 1917 P 1) PETERSON - Killed in Action in France, on the 30 th November, 1917, Sergt William Cuthbert Peterson, 8 th Reinforcements, dearly loved younger brother of Mrs H Masters, aged 23 years: deeply regretted. My grandmother placed this notice, evidence of her love for him and her sad loss. Some other interesting facts gleaned from WCP's army personnel record: he was 6 ft tall and weighed 154 lbs he had grey eyes and fair hair and a 'fresh' complexion he had 2 moles, 1 on the abdomen and 1 under the left nipple his religious profession was Anglican he was awarded the British War medal, the Victory medal and the Star while convalescing at Hornchurch hospital he went 'absent without leave' once (they had to report at parade at 2pm every day) and was also reprimanded once for disobeying a command by a superior officer - and he had to forfeit a total of 3 days pay for his indiscretions!!! 8

9 Nan Masters (Ada) was his declared next of kin, but his sister Edith (ka 'Edie") whose address was c/o the City Dye Works in Dunedin, was named as his beneficiary in his will (presumably because she was the only other unmarried member of the family). William Cuthbert Peterson in uniform with his niece and nephew prior to leaving for service in WW William Cuthbert Peterson s grave in the Hooge Crater cemetery William s nephew is still alive (2013) and living in Dunedin. He recalls his mother (William s sister, Alice) telling him that William (Billy) was very good looking and he was always in trouble with the girls!!! 9

10 Scene at a wharf in Lyttelton, showing troopships and a crowd farewelling troops during the First World War. Shows HMNZT 36 Tofua on the left and HMNZT 35 Willochra on the right. (13th November 1915) 'Troopships departing from Lyttelton', URL: (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 27-Apr

11 WORLD WAR I - November 1917 The following extract from "In Flanders Fields" by Leon Wolff (PP ) explains the situation in which William Cuthbert Peterson is likely to have died. He was 'killed in action' on 30 November "One final episode concluded the British operations on the Western Front a most significant one, for it proved after all that Haig held a trump card irrelevant of head-on assaults and attrition. It will be recalled that the Tank Corps people had been searching for a likely place in which to prove themselves, and this they had found at Cambrai, some forty miles to the southeast. Here the terrain was relatively dry, had not been torn up by shell-fire, and presented an ideal downslope. The Passchendaele Salient: n November, 1917 Sir Julian Byng, commanding the Third Army, risked his professional career and (against Haig's judgment) authorized a mass tank attack without the firing of a single preparatory artillery shell. Out of the morning mists on 20 November, 381 tanks lumbered without warning against the Hindenburg Line and cracked it open like an egg-shell. In one day an average gain of four miles was registered (not much less than the entire Ypres campaign over a period of four months), 10,000 prisoners and 200 guns captured, all this against the loss of 1,500 British troops. It was one of the most startling and one sided successes of the war, but since the Flanders fighting had depleted Haig's reserves, Byng had none with which to exploit it, other than a few cavalry battalions, notoriously helpless against machine-guns and snipers. The attack petered out quickly. 11

12 On 30 November the Germans counter-attacked in strength, won back most of their previous loss in ground, and recaptured the same number of men and guns which had been wrested from them ten days earlier. The score was even. The momentary thrill of an outstanding victory had led to an even greater reaction, and the military year closed in despondency, while an official court of inquiry delved bitterly into the reasons for this final and most embarrassing debacle." The above information, plus more details, is also published in The New Zealand Division by Col. H Stewart, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment. NB: There is another book entitled "In Flanders Fields" the World War 1 diary of Private Monty Ingram. I have found it a much easier read than a straight factual history book, and really makes vividly real the horrors of trench warfare in Belgium in WW1 especially the 3rd battle of Ypres and these would have been the conditions and experiences in which William Cuthbert Peterson fought and lost his life. 12

13 William Cuthbert ( Billy ) was wounded 21 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme Billy (2nd from left) and 3 mates convalescing before returning to the Front Line 13

14 What happened at the Somme on 21st September - the day Billy was wounded From - The History of the Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F Early on the night of September 18th/19th the 2nd Battalion relieved part of the 1st Auckland Battalion in the Flers Line and Flers Support trench, west of Flers village, and with its left extending almost as far to the north-west as Grove Alley. The following day orders were received for a minor operation to be undertaken by the battalion against a German communication trench called Goose Alley, which ran roughly parallel to and from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty yards east of the High Wood-Le Barque road. The southern part of this trench, after it had crossed the Flers Line, was called Drop Alley, since it ended in a strong-point called the Cough Drop. The portion of the trench which the battalion was ordered to take extended for about two hundred and fifty yards to the north-east of Flers Support, for a hundred yards between Flers Support and Flers Line, and for three hundred yards to the south-west of Flers Line. The 1st Battalion of the Black Watch (1st Brigade of 1st Division), which held the Cough Drop, was ordered to co-operate with our troops by making a bombing attack up Drop Alley. On September 19th, the 47th Division had been ordered to take the Flers Line as far as its junction with Goose Alley, and to hand it over to the New Zealand Division; but the attack had not been a success. The 2nd Auckland Battalion, however, by the night of the 20th/21st, was in occupation of the Flers Line up to within two hundred yards of Goose Alley. About half a mile to the north-west of Flers, the Abbey Road was crossed by the North road, which continued on towards Longueval, but forked into two branches before crossing the Flers Line. About 8 p.m. on September 20th, the 1st, 2nd, and 13th Companies of the 2nd Canterbury Battalion, which had been detailed for the assault, left their trenches and formed up on the two branches of the North Road. At 8.30 p.m. they advanced to the attack without any barrage. Under cover of the darkness, they crept up to within fifty yards of Goose Alley before they were detected. The enemy then immediately opened heavy machine-gun and rifle fire; but in spite of heavy casualties our men rushed the trench, cleared it of the enemy, and established blocks beyond it in both Flers Trench and Flers Support, and also on the north-east of the captured junction of Goose Alley. On their left flank they were joined by bombing parties of the Black Watch, who had worked their way up Drop Alley. Punctually at 8.45 p.m., our artillery placed a box barrage round the captured positions, in accordance with the arrangements that had been made. Twenty prisoners and four machine-guns were taken by the battalion. In spite of the barrage, at 10 p.m. the enemy launched a determined counter-attack down all the trenches leading to the position. Armed with the new light "egg" bomb, his bombers outranged ours; and the Black Watch bombing parties, which had not been reinforced, were driven back down Drop Alley. At the same time, the Canterbury men were pushed from the blocks they had established, and a party of the enemy penetrated into Flers Trench, in the rear of our left flank. Two platoons of the 12th Company were sent up to support the line; but owing to the darkness, and the confused hand-to-hand fighting, they could do very little to help, and soon became mixed up in the general melee. The enemy had now encircled both flanks, and there was grave danger of the battalion being cut off. At this juncture Captain F. Starnes arrived with the remaining platoons of the 12th Company. Finding men of all companies mixed together, and in many cases without 14

15 leaders, he organized small parties and set them to clear the enemy out of definite areas. Captain Starnes personally led party after party, and after some very desperate fighting he at length cleared the trench from our original right flank to the northern end of Drop Alley. He then led attacks on Drop Alley, till by 4 a.m. the whole of it was in our hands, and he was able to hand it over to the Black Watch. There was no rest for the garrison, however, as much hard digging was required to fit the position for defence. Nor was the enemy content to leave the trench in our hands; for at 5.30 p.m. on the 21st he made a most determined counterattack. Altogether about two hundred of his men worked up Goose Alley on the right flank, and up Flers Support and Flers Trench in the centre and on the left. The enemy bombers were well organized, bold and expert, and were much fresher than our men, who had been fighting all night and digging all day. The attack penetrated our line in several places; but the rest of the line stood firm, in spite of heavy fighting. Finally, led again by Captain Starnes, our men got out of the trenches, and from the open bombed the enemy parties which were still holding out in our trenches. Taking advantage of the confusion caused by this unexpected attack, our men charged with the bayonet, and cleared the trenches. During the fighting, a party from the 2nd Auckland Battalion, led by a private, without orders came overland from the North road to assist our right flank. Besides the captures mentioned above, the battalion had counted three hundred enemy dead in and about Goose Alley in the morning; and at a very moderate estimate it had killed another hundred in repulsing the counter-attack on the evening of the 21st. For his gallantry in the operations, Captain Starnes was recommended for the V.C., and received the "immediate award" of the D.S.O. The cost to the battalion had been very heavy. Out of eighteen officers and five hundred and twenty-three other ranks engaged, the casualties were 40 killed, 160 wounded and 49 missing. Officers. Other Ranks. Killed 8 32 Wounded Missing 49 Any comment that the writer of this record might make would be impertinent beside the following unique telegrams of congratulation, sent as an acknowledgement of the 2nd Battalion's fine achievement: From the Fourth Army Commander: - "Please congratulate the New Zealand Division from me on their excellent work in Flers Line and Drop Alley. They deserve every credit for their gallantry and perseverance." From the XV Corps Commander: -"The Corps Commander congratulates Major- General A. H. Russell and the New Zealand Division on the success gained last night (20th/21st inst.) by the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment. The repeated attacks, renewed and delivered with such energy and determination speak highly of the fine fighting qualities displayed by all ranks. The Corps Commander particularly desires to express to Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart his high appreciation of the sound conception of the plan, and to Captain Starnes his admiration of his gallant and courageous leading." 15

16 NB We believe that Billy is on the right hand side seated in the deckchair, without jacket 16

17 LETTER HOME FROM BILLY PETERSON AFTER THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME WITH TRANSCRIPTION Everybody is enjoying themselves today, which is another name for sleeping, eating and lying at ease smoking. It seems quite strange not to hear any guns. You don t know what a relief it is to be away from the H.E., tear and gas shells, in fact to be away from the Somme altogether. We are all very much run down & could do with a spell. Leave is starting again & I hope my turn will come soon. We move on tomorrow night & go north to some quieter part of the line. I think I ve given you a fair idea of what the NZ division did, more especially the 1st Brigade. I could talk for a month about little episodes & experiences that happened to me but I ll leave that till I come home. ( ) By the way I sent a cable from Mametz Wood P.O. just before we came out of the Somme, hope you got it all right (sic). 17

18 18

19 Photos of the front, back and centre of WCP s wallet returned with his belongings after he was killed. It was designed to be bullet proof and kept in the left breast pocket. 19

20 The following photos are a selection from the pages of his notebooks 20

21 More pages from the notebooks 21

22 A description of the fighting leading up to the day that William Cuthbert was killed POLDERHOEK CHATEAU Following upon the attempt against the Passchendaele Ridge on October 12th, arrangements were made for continuing operations, though of a more limited nature, over the same area. On October 25th Canadian and English troops attacked on a front extending from the Ypres-Roulers Railway in the south to a pint beyond Poelcappelle in the north. On the right, the Canadians attacked on both sides of the Ravebeek, which included the area of the enemy defences with which the Regiment was concerned on October 12th. The defences of Bellevue Spur had over the intervening period been subjected to the concentrated fire of heavy artillery, but even with this preparation still presented a formidable obstacle to success, and it was only after a second attack had been delivered in the afternoon that the enemy's resistance was beaten down. In a subsidiary attack launched at the same time to the south Polderhoek Chateau was captured, only to be wrested back by the enemy the same day. On November 25th the 1st Battalion of the Regiment marched out of Brewery Camp, and proceeded to Walker Camp, south-east of Ypres. The projected attack against Polderhoek Chateau was to be delivered by the 1st Battalions of Otago and Canterbury. This made it necessary that they should train in conjunction, and on November 30th a combined practice attack was delivered over ground which was a facsimile of the real objective. Meanwhile our heavy artillery was actively engaged pounding the defences of Gheluvelt; while 18- pounders and 4.5 in. howitzers concentrated on Polderhoek Chateau; but it was noticeable that many of the shells fell short. A practice barrage over the area of the Chateau and vicinity, in which short shooting was again reported, drew heavy retaliation. There was further considerable artillery activity on the 29th. A second practice barrage was carried out on the 30th, and on this occasion many direct hits were registered on the Chateau buildings. Towards the close, however, the shooting deteriorated in accuracy, and a number of shells fell so far short of the mark as to cause casualties in our own lines. During the period over which this concentrated artillery fire was being maintained, every effort was made by the troops in line to prevent the enemy repairing damage done to his wire. (Copied from

23 This pro-forma postcard was designed for rapid completion by the troops for sending a message home. It was also designed so that if it came into enemy hands, it would not disclose location or any tactical information. Billy sent it to his younger sister Edie but it was re-directed to his older sister Alice - presumably because Edie was staying with her at that time. 23

24 Letter of condolence sent by the Company Sergeant Major to Edie on WCP death 24

25 TRANSCRIPTION OF LETTER OF CONDOLENCE FROM A COLLEAGUE OF WILLIAM CUTHBERT PETERSON FOLLOWING HIS DEATH (to his sister Edith) Dear Madam France Dec 27 th /17 I regret that I have been unable to do so before, but we have had an extra long time on the line, but by this mail I am sending to you some papers and pocket wallet belonging to my late chum and comrade Serg t Billy Peterson. May I offer to you my very deepest sympathy in your bereavement? I too have lost chum whose bright and happy disposition was to us at all times a great tonic even at times under the most trying circumstances. My address is 6/4625 Coy Serg t Major W L Manly 1 st Coy 2 nd Batt n Canterbury Reg t NZEF. I would be obliged if you will let me know that you receive these things safely. Billy s burial place was on the plains of Flanders & those of us who knew him know that he died a brave soldier facing a common enemy. Again offering you my deepest sympathy Yours Truly W L Manby NB W L Manby was the Company Sergeant Major of Billy s Battalion 25

26 The Memorial Plaque - sometimes called the Death Plaque - received by the relatives of those who were killed on active service during WW1. It is about 150mm in diameter 26

27 The Medals showing the inscription 7/1885 Sgt W C Peterson N.Z.E.F on the back of the Star - also on the rim of the other medals 27

28 Peel Forest War Memorial IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF PEEL FOREST WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR Lieut. J.R. DENNISTOUN 2nd Lieut. F.G. RUSSELL Sergt. W.C. PETERSON Private C. CROWE Private A. JOHNSTON Private R.O. MAISTER Private J.W. RAE Private J. TAIT Private K. TINEY 2nd Lieut. L.D. RUSSELL Cpl D.T. GILLESPIE Private J. GODFREY Private P. MacFARLANE Private D.A. RAE Private J.STILLIFANT Private R.F. THEW Private H. WHETTON THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE IN MEMORY OF E.T.F. REID D.M.H. TRIPP H.M.H. TRIPP WHO FELL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR LOCATION - on the side of a small rise about 100 yards past the Peel Forest Hall. Unveiling date 12 September

29 Excerpts from a history of Mount Peel Station During World War I he gave all his profits from the run to the Red Cross. He also attended farewell socials to soldiers in the district and at one of these functions he said from the platform that he would hand over his run and his stock to the first three local soldiers who returned from the war. These three soldiers, Alex Allan, Charlie Johnstone and George Parr, when they came home were given the run and stock in partnership. Eventually Alex Allan bought out his two partners and the property is now held by the Allan family. The First World War saw an improvement in prices. There were no longer merino flocks run exclusively on Mount Peel, as in the founders' day. The climate is unsuited to the breed for Mount Peel has an average rainfall of 43 inches whereas in most parts of Canterbury the rainfall average is about 25 inches. It was this factor that decided the trustees in 1907 that English Leicester cross would be a more suitable breed. By 1945 the predominant breed was three-quarter bred Romney Merino and this type of sheep is on the station now. In the 1916 Estate Report there was a 'considerable improvement shown in station finances. Greasy wool sold totalled 390 bales and the best price was 22d a Ib. It was expected that the conditions would be better still. Cattle had been sold at 'extraordinary high prices, one fat heifer making 15 at the Geraldine sale. Old ewes were selling at 20/- and two-tooths at 30/-. Labour costs were rising and there was a shortage of men to run the station. Shearers were being paid 25/- a 100, shed hands 2/10/ a week, day musterers 15/- a day and a young shepherd was engaged for 100 a year. The 1917 report records that Allan, the head shepherd had enlisted; Lindsay and Peterson had been wounded and Charles Livingstone killed. Farquharson was in camp and Sillifant and Gillespie due to go any day. A later report mentions that among station hands killed were Peterson, Sillifant, Cochrane and Rex Maister. Harte Geoffrey William Mount Peel is a hundred, the story of the first high country sheep station in Canterbury. 1956, printed at the Herald Printing Works, Timaru, NZ. 83 pages. Contents: 1. In the beginning 2. West, the land is bright 3. Settling Mt Peel 4. Pioneering Days 5. Thru the years 6. From depression to prosperity 7. The Acland Family 8. The men who worked on Peel 9. The Homestead and church 10. Two Strange Tales 11. No answer to the snows 12. Search for gold 13. Men of faith. Appendices & Bibliography FOREWORD This publication has been commissioned by Mr Jack Acland of Mount Peel Station. It is designed to give those who attend the centenary celebrations at the homestead in April, 1956, and all who are interested in the romantic history of our high country, an appreciation of life at Mount Peel over 100 years. The district of the Upper Rangitata has two certain claims to recognition in New Zealand history: Mount Peel was the first high country station taken up in Canterbury and the land further west was the home of the English satirist, Samuel Butler. Mount Peel is one of five Canterbury high country runs never to have changed hands. The brand the first owners used for their sheep (AT) in the form of A is still used. 29

30 MEMORIES AND ANECDOTES FROM FAMILY MEMBERS (Not for Publication) 30

31 Billy s grave and a general view of the Hooge Crater Cemetery. As far as is known August 2008 was the first and only time that family members had visited the grave. 31

32 32