大象传媒

A copy of the attached transcribed letter was written by my uncle, Percy Donald Peacock of Sutton to his mother, Mable. I think the date maybe 1941.

Percy was a gunner in 122 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. He was sent to Malaya. On 15th February 1942, he was captured by the Japanese in Singapore. On 18th November 1943 he died aged 28. His grave is in the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand and was visited for the first time by a member of the family in 2002.

Mrs Angela Toynton

Transcript of a letter written by Percy Peacock to his mother, Mabel.

Tues.

Dear Mother,
Well we are off this time, Join the Army & see the world, well I certainly look as though I shall see some of it, I鈥檝e always wanted too but not quite in this fashion. I don鈥檛 suppose the war will last very long once I get out there! It鈥檚 about time I did something towards winning it, you can bet the chaps that are called up next springtime won鈥檛 get so much training. I had an idea I might get on a lorry in the transport but I was wrong, the orders have been given out and I鈥檓 on a gun lorry or quads as we call them, (you may have seen a picture of one in the paper) they draw a limber full of shells and the gun on behind, the quads are quaint looking things, bullet proof (but not shell proof) worst luck. There are 4 guns in a Troop, 3 Troops in a Battery (not counting head quarters who are reserve) 3 Batterys to a Regt, that means a matter of about 750 men excluding about 75 officers. That makes 36 guns in a Regt so when you hear of a Battery of guns (which you very often do, it means 12) simple isn鈥檛 it, it is if you know but it鈥檚 rather difficult for me to explain, there are 6 gunners to a gun & they can fire 30 shells a minute, what a bang. Well I hope the Home Guard will give the invaders a warm reception if they try to get here, the papers seem to think they will try it.
Glad you all had a decent Xmas, Doris told me she went along Xmas day & spent a enjoyable evening & Dick is pleased with his outfit he had better join the H.G. Some of the boys are going tonight & the rest of us Thursday night, we sail on Friday, (cold isn鈥檛 it). Well, it is cold really it鈥檚 been snowing all the morning, the sky looks full of it. Well I don鈥檛 think I have anymore news for you Ma try & keep Doris cheerful won鈥檛 you? (I shan鈥檛 be away many years). Cheerio be good I hope the old leg don鈥檛 give you too much trouble and thanks for all you鈥檝e done I鈥檒l repay you someday. Cheerio Dad don鈥檛 work too hard you鈥檙e a long time dead you know. All the best Marj, I hope Arthur doesn鈥檛 have to go abroad, one鈥檚 plenty. Cheerio Len, don鈥檛 have too much booze it鈥檚 bad for the liver. Best of luck Ron, you鈥檒l be able to take Greta Gimbert out to dances soon. Say cheerio to Dick for me he鈥檚 a (rum fellar) but I think a lot about him. Remember me to Maury when he comes home I wish him the best of luck also Arthur I hope he can swing it alright. Well that鈥檚 all Mum I drop you a line on Thursday if I can I suppose it will be a bit of a scramble. Cheerio & best of luck to all from your
Loving son
Percy.
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