Trafford

Born: Tom Peers during the March quarter 1884 - in the Altrincham R.D. -
ref: 8a/189, the son of Caleb Peers and Mary Peers (nee Robinson). 
Baptised at Ashton upon Mersey on the 29th January 1884.

1891 Census - Green Lane, Ashton upon Mersey.   Head of household - Caleb
Peers - Married - aged: 43 - Shopkeeper - born: Newton by Daresbury,
Cheshire.    Also - Mary Peers - Wife - aged: 40 - born: Ashton on Mersey. 
 Plus 9 siblings, but no Tom???   There is a "Sam" listed as born: 1885,
but there is no record of his birth.  I believe that "Sam" is actually
"Tom".    Son - aged: 6 - born: Ashton upon Mersey.

He attended St. Martin's Church of England School, Ashton upon Mersey and
the Primitive Methodist Sunday School.

His father - Caleb Peers, died in 1895 - aged: 48.   In 1900, his mother
married an Edward Jones.  He gave his occupation as:- Coachman.

1901 Census - End dwelling on Green Lane (Next house Derby Road), Ashton on
Mersey.    Step-son - aged: 17 - occ: gardener (not Domestic) - born:
Ashton on Mersey.   Head of household (Step-father) Edward Jones - Married
- aged: 50 - occ: Farmer - born: Ashton on Mersey.   Also Mary Jones - Wife
(Tom's Mother) - aged: 50 - born: Ashton on Mersey.   Plus his 4 'Peers'
sisters.

Married - Mary Elizabeth Jackson on the 5th December 1905 in St. Anne's
P.C. Sale, the marriage being registered during the December quarter 1905
in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/357.

1911 Census - Norley Lane, Norley (near Runcorn), Cheshire,   Head of
household Married - aged: 27 - occ: General Labourer on Farm - born: Ashton
on Mersey.   Also Mary Elizabeth Peers - Wife - aged: 25 - born: Ashton on
Mersey.    Plus three children - Mary 4  - William 2 - Caleb 3 months. 
They had been married for 5 years and produced 5 children, of whom 4 were
still alive.

By 1914 the family had relocated to 43 Chapel Street.  The local newspaper
of the time, reported that ha had been fined 2/6d (12.5p) for driving a
vehicle without exhibiting a red light to the rear.

Enlisted into the Cheshire Regiment in July 1916 - No. 41763.   In January
1917, he was granted leave to enable him to return home on the death of his
son - James Peers.   Later, in Aproil 1917, he transferred to the 61st
Company, Labour Corps.   Death reported in the 31st August 1917 edition of
the Altrincham Guardian.

Private Peers died during what became known as the Third Battle of Ypres,
which ran from 31/07/1917 to 10/11/1917.    Within this overall Battle,
there were eight sub-battles, as follows:- Battle of Pilckem 31/07/1917 to
02/08/1917.   Battle of Langemark 16/08/1917 to 18/08/1917 - plus six more.
  These were all major affairs, but fighting continued incessantly
throughout the period.  It would appear that he died just before the
"official" start of the Battle of Langemark, but as his death was from
wounds, he could have been wounded a week or so before that, perhaps even
from the Battle of Pilckem.

Left a widow and 4 children..

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1918.   A Tom Peers
is listed in the street directories as living at No.43 Chapel St,
Altrincham.

See also "The Bravest Little Street in England" by Karen Cliff, Trafford
Local Studies Library.