Cecil Hugh Peckham died of wounds on this day in 1916

Cecil Hugh Peckham was born in 1896 in Barcombe, East Sussex, the son of Joseph (a domestic gardener) and Florence.

Age 5, at the 1901 Census, Cecil was living at home, at Fern Cottage, High Street, Barcombe with his parents, older brother Charles and younger sister Florence and a lodger.

Age 15, at the 1911 Census, Cecil was still living at home, with his parents and younger sister Florence. By then, he was working as a nurseryman gardener. They had two boarders with them, an elementary school teacher and a baker’s assistant. His older brother Charles, who was also working as a nurseryman, was boarding with a family in St.Albans.

Cecil enlisted on 8 September 1914, in Worthing, joining the Royal Sussex Regiment, South Down Bn. From his WWI Service Records, which are extant, we learn that Cecil had dark brown hair and brown eyes and was 5ft 8 ½ tall.

On 12 March 1916, a telegram was sent home to say that Cecil was in the British Hospital in Calais and dangerously ill from wounds to the hand, legs and shoulder. His mother got in touch asking if there was any chance he could be brought to England.

A second Telegram stated that he died at 10.25 pm on 19 March 1916. Cecil was buried in Calais Southern Cemetery.

Cecil's older brother Charles had enlisted in Newmarket. He died on 11 July 1918, leaving his wife Alice with a one year old son, William.

538 Pte Cecil Hugh Peckham, C Coy 11th Bn Royal Sussex Regiment