3355 Pte Benjamin Peel, 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancs

3355 Private Benjamin Peel of the 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, was killed in action on the 31st December 1914. He was born in Chadderton, Lancashire, and enlisted withe the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion at Oldham on the 31st August 1914. Less than a month later he was posted to the regular 1st Battalion and it was whilst serving with this battalion that he was killed.

Benjamin had previously served with the 3rd Loyal North Lancs Regiment and was 37 years old and time expired by the time he signed on again in August 1914. His occupation is noted as railwayman.

Benjamin was a married man with children. He had married Jennie Robinson at Stockport on the 5th July 1902 and the couple had four children: Francis, Jeannie, Edward and Benjamin. At the time of their father's death, the children would have been eleven, nine, five and three years old respectively. The family's address is noted as 5 Warrington Street, Lees, Oldham.

In August 1915, Jennie Peel was awarded a weekly pension of 22 shillings and sixpence for herself and her four children. She appears to have subsequently re-married as by 1921, receiving her late husband's clasp for his 1914 Star, the acknowledgement slip is signed, Mrs J Clayton.

Benjamin Peel has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, WO 363)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War