PEEK Wilfred Arthur

A Peek at Peek

Private Wilfred Arthur Peek Norfolk Regiment and Special Constabulary

1914-18 British War Medal. Victory Medal. Defence Medal. Special Constabulary Long Service Medal clasps 'Long Service 1939, 43 and 46'

The Man Wilfred Arthur Peek was born on 31st October 1893 in Mutford, Suffolk. Son of Samuel a Gardener, and Ellen Jane nee Barrett. He was one of four children, Ida Marion born in 1889, Hilda May 1891, and another sibling who died young. Wilfred was Baptised at the Church of St Peter, Carlton Colville, Suffolk on New Year’s Eve 1893. In 1901 the family were living at Wood Farm, Mutford and Samuel had now become a Farmer. By 1911 the family were still at the same address and Wilfred now aged 17 was listed on the census as a Farmer’s son, helping on farm. Following the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, Wilfred continued working on the farm until 12th December 1915 aged 22 when he enlisted into the 8th Norfolk Regiment as a Private with service number 20756. The 8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. 8th (Service) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment was raised at Norwich in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined 53rd Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. Wilfred joined them in France and was likely involved in the first day of the Somme attack. However he subsequently received a gun shot wound to his abdomen and was discharged on 3rd August 1917 under Paragraph 392 (xvi) King’s Regulations 1912 (no longer physically fit for war service). He was awarded a wound stripe, Silver War Badge number 120 058, 1914-18 British War Medal and Victory Medal. Wilfred returned to working on farms and during the final quarter of 1918 married Hilda May Cannell in Wangford, East Suffolk. During 1919 he joined the Special Constabulary, being awarded the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal 10 years later in 1929. By 1939 aged 46, he was living with Hilda at Chantry Cottage, Deben, Suffolk and working as a Farm Manager. He also received the first clasp to his Special Constabulary Medal dated 1939. During World War II Wilfred continued service with the SC and received two further long service clasps to his medal dated 1943 and 1946, and following the conflict also awarded the Defence Medal. In later life Wilfred and Hilda lived at Stone Farm, Blaxhall in Suffolk, home of the famous, Stone of Blaxhall. Hilda died on 15th November 1951 at Ipswich Hospital and buried in in St John the Baptist Churchyard, Campsey Ash, Suffolk. Wilfred moved to The Smithy Cottage in Marlesford Village with his house-keeper, Vera Alice Houchin and died on 15th September 1975 aged 82, leaving £69,321.00. (£586,000.00 in 2020) and a number of properties. He was buried alongside Hilda in St John the Baptist Churchyard.

The Story The group of medals awarded to Wilfred Arthur Peek were won at Lockdale’s Auction on 30th May 2020, and of interested because of the three clasped Special Constabulary Medal with the George V robed bust. A trawl of Ancestry.UK and wills proved fruitful, even providing a link to a picture of Wilfred and his wife’s headstone. Thus his life is now partially remembered for posterity.