Private Arthur Herbert Peto

Arthur Herbert Peto was born in Fulham c1898. In 1911, at the age of 13, he was living at 3 Mellish Terrace, Morden with his mother Amelia and his brother and sister, Ernest and Hilda. His father, a housepainter also called Arthur, was recorded on the census form as ‘sleeping away from home’ at the time the census was taken. In 1912 another brother, Frank, was born.

Arthur enlisted at Kingston-on-Thames. He was initially a private in the East Surrey Regiment with the regiment number 24854. Later records show that he transferred to the 19th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment with the regiment number 41796. During 1917 his battalion was engaged in the pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenberg Line. Private Peto was killed in action on 2 April 1917. This was the day on which his battalion was selected to capture the village of Henin-sur-Cojeul from the Germans. The capture, which is recorded in the battalion’s war diary, was achieved at a cost of 185 British casualties.

Private Peto is buried at the Henin Crucifix Cemetery A.26. His name also appears on one of the panels in the Lychgate at St. Lawrence Church, Morden, which serves as the parish war memorial and also on a brass plate in the Assembly Hall of Morden Primary School. . His parents, who were still living at 3 Mellish Terrace at the time of his death, were probably members of the St Lawrence Church congregation.