Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Chief Steward W. T. Peers, Mercantile Marine, late Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

British War Medal 1914-20 (26471 Pte. T. W. Peers. L.N. Lan. R.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Thomas W. Peers); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (6) £160-£200

William Thomas Peers was born in Liverpool on 27 May 1891. He served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in the Gallipoli theatre of operations from 22 August 1915, the address upon his MIC noting ‘3rd Echelon G.H.Q., B.S.F., Salonika,’ and also witnessed Great War Service with the Merchant Navy. Indicating entitlement to a Pair, it appears that his V.M. was returned, the card annotated ‘eligible for BWM only’. His Mercantile Marine record confirms the award of the BWM by the Army, and the issue of the M.M.W.M. to 63 Manningham Road, Anfield, Liverpool, on 5 May 1921.

Returned to service during the Second World War, Peers is recorded in January 1942 as Chief Steward aboard the Dutch motor merchant Alcinous. This vessel had already enjoyed a narrow escape a couple of years earlier, when she was struck by a torpedo from the German submarine U-46 some 150 miles south-west of Rockall. Transferred to the Merchant Navy Reserve Pool, Peers joined the Atreus on 22 February 1945, and it was aboard this vessel that he died on 10 July 1945 in consequence of a heart condition, aged 54 years. He is buried in Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, India.

Sold with original named condolence slip, riband bar for Great War service, official O.H.M.S. box of transmittal for Second World War Medals, addressed to his wife, and extensive copied research including a photograph of the recipient.

Note: It is most unusual to just receive just a British War Medal, and no Victory Medal for Gallipoli or Salonica - possibly Peers never left his ship.