Pte 50206 William Peebles

• Age: 37
• From: Inveresk, Midlothian
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 28th July 1917
• Commemorated at: Lijssenthoek M C Poperinghe
  Panel Ref: XVI.I.14

William Peebles was born in 1880 in Inveresk and resided in Musselburgh, Edinburgh and was the son of William and Euphemia Peebles (nee Ogilvie), of 7, Monktonhall Terrace, Musselburgh, Edinburgh. His parents married on 02nd June 1876. 

The 1891 Census shows the family living at Cairnie Railway Cottage, Inveresk, Midlothian. His father, William, is aged 35 and employed as a railway servant and his mother Euphemia, is aged 35 and has no occupation listed. They have six children at the time of the Census, Elizabeth aged 12, William aged 10, James aged 8 and Thomas aged 6 are scholars, Isabella aged 4 and Euphemia aged 1.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 11 Belfield Crescent, Musselburgh. His father, William is aged 45, born in 1856 in Newton. His occupation is shown as a vegetable dealer and hs wife Euphemia, is aged 45, born 1856 at Newton has no occupation listed. They have five children all born in Inveresk. Elizabeth aged 22 born 1879 assists at home, William aged 20 born 1881 and Thomas aged 16, born 1885 are both railway clerks, Isabella aged 14, born 1887 is an apprentice dressmaker and Euphemia aged 11 born 1890 is at school.

Passenger record departing Glasgow on the 26th April 1913 for Quebec aboard "Saturnia"

Passenger record arriving at Liverpool on the 11th Nov 1916 from Callao, Chile aboard "Orissa"

He enlisted in Glencorse, Midlothian and served originally as Private 282547, Royal Army Service Corps and was serving in the 19th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 50206 when he died of wounds on the 28th July, 1917 aged 37.

William now lies in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“GOD GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP”

During the First World War, the village of Lijssenthoek was situated on the main communication line between the Allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the Front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery, it became a natural place to establish casualty clearing stations. The cemetery was first used by the French 15th Hopital D'Evacuation and in June 1915, it began to be used by casualty clearing stations of the Commonwealth forces.

From April to August 1918, the casualty clearing stations fell back before the German advance and field ambulances (including a French ambulance) took their places.

The cemetery contains 9,901 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 24 being unidentified. There are 883 war graves of other nationalities, mostly French and German, 11 of these are unidentified. There is 1 Non World War burial here.

The only concentration burials were 24 added to Plot XXXI in 1920 from isolated positions near Poperinghe and 17 added to Plot XXXII from St. Denijs Churchyard in 1981.

Eight of the headstones are Special Memorials to men known to be buried in this cemetery, these are located together alongside Plot 32 near the Stone of Remembrance.

The cemetery, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, is the second largest Commonwealth cemetery in Belgium.

His death was reported in the Musselburgh News on 10th August 1917

RETURNED TO DO HIS BIT

The death at the front of private William Peebles, Kings Liverpool Regiment on the 28th of July is announced. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs William Peebles 7 Monktonhall Terrace, Musselburgh and was 37 years of age. He had returned in November last from Patagonia Argentine to enlist and proceeded to France 2 months ago. Previous to going to South America he was for 20 years in the employment of the North British Railway Company on the staff in the office of the superintendent of the line. Indifferent health following an attack of typhoid fever necessitated his seeking an outdoor life and after some time on a rent ranch he regained his former health and returned to do his bit.

A TOUCHING CEREMONY

The address was followed by the singing of Hymn 339, after which the congregation remained standing while the Rev. Mr Reid unveiled the tablet. A short spell of silence followed, and then the Rev. Mr Gilmour read the names of the fallen:-

....

Pte William Peebles, 19th Liverpool's

....

Silence again reigned as he advanced and placed a wreath of laurels, tied with red, white, and blue ribbon, at the base of the memorial. At the same time, with his voice full of emotion, he said "Not once or twice in our rough island story, the path of duty was the way to glory." All quiet again until the echoes of the buglers outside sounding the last post reached the ear. It was a poignant moment, touching and impressive, and one that moved many to tears. The prayer of dedication followed, and afterwards Mr Gilmour publicly acknowledged their indebtedness to Mr Caddick, who had designed the memorial. The benediction was followed by the national anthem, and with the playing of a voluntary "Gloria", from Mozart's 12th Mass by Mr Robert Kay, organist, the memorial service closed. 

He is also commemorated on the family headstone at Inveresk (St Michael, Musselburgh) Cemetery.

His father died on 28th January 1926. 

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