Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Surgeon-Major, later Lieutenant-Colonel E. G. Peck, Royal Field Artillery, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry, was twice Mentioned in Despatches, and was wounded in action, all in his early 60’s

1914-15 Star (Surg.Maj. E. G. Peck. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. E. G. Peck.) nearly very fine and better (3) £300-£400

D.S.O. London Gazette 25 November 1916.
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He attended to wounded men under heavy fire, quite regardless of his own personal danger. Later, he again attended wounded men under heavy fire and personally superintended their evacuation. He displayed the greatest courage and determination throughout.’

Edward George Peck was born in Cambridge in 1854, the eldest of a family of eleven. Educated at the Perse School, Cambridge, he later qualified Member of the Royal College of Surgeons on 8 July 1880 and Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians at Edinburgh in 1888. Recorded as physician in 1911 and a resident of Hampstead, he spent a considerable period in practice at Queensbury, London, of which district he acted as medical officer. According to the Cambridge Daily News, he also worked as Resident Medical Officer at the Chelsea Hospital for Women and served as Honorary Surgeon at St. George’s Hospital, later becoming a Fellow of the Medical Society of London. Posted to France as Surgeon Major from 14 April 1915, the Bradford Daily Telegraph of 27 November 1916, adds:

‘He has served with the West Riding Brigade Royal Field Artillery since the beginning of the war, and has done fine work. He was mentioned for gallant service in the field in Lord French’s despatch, published on January 1 this year.’

Twice ’mentioned’ in the London Gazettes of 1 January 1916 and 4 January 1917, Peck was further recognised with the award of the D.S.O. for service on the Western Front, likely during the Battle of the Somme. According to the Cambridge Daily News of 28 October 1939, he was wounded in the course of his duties. Returning home to Cambridge at the cessation of hostilities, Peck took appointment as Assistant County Director of the Red Cross. Retiring to Bournemouth following the loss of his wife in 1926, Peck died on 27 October 1939.