Recent research has revealed that Tom Peek was not killed during the First World War. There is information to suggest that he may not have died as a result of combat or military service.

British Army service records show that Thomas David Peek was born in Aberdare on 19th November 1898.
His father, Thomas Peek was shown as residing at The Balfour Club, Wern Crescent, Nelson and Thomas David was shown as an apprentice fitter.

His enlistment papers show that he had already applied for service in September 1916 when he was still 17 years old (and at only 5ft 3inches tall). His application was accepted on 9th November 1916 and in March 1917 he was sent to Grove Park and part of the Mechanical Transport Company, as a fitter.

On 30th May 1917, now having passed the age of 18yrs 6mths, he was attached to 52nd Company at Aldershot, still as a fitter. It appears he did most of his service there. His service records show no evidence of overseas deployment, but are in a poor state.

On 27th November 1919 the Army began processing his discharge from military service. There is no record of any illness or injury on the discharge papers. On 2nd November 1919 he was shown as going ‘home’, which by this time was 27 High Street, Nelson. He was discharged as ‘Class Z’, and went back to work at Penallta Colliery.

News:

May 19^th 1917.

Sapper Tom Peek, eldest son of Mr & Mrs Peek, Balfour Club has been home on short leave visiting his father who is seriously ill. Sapper Peek is in the Mechanical Transport Section , R.E. Aldershot.

May 10th 1919.

Private Tom Peek, M.T.C. son of Mr and Mrs T Peek, has been home on leave from Belgium.

Sat June 17^th 1922.

Once again it is our painful duty to record the passing of a young man, a duty which has been all too frequent in Nelson of late. This week we regret to record the death of Thomas David Peek, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Tom Peek, The China Stores, High Street, Nelson (formerly of the Balfour Club) which occurred on Saturday last after an illness of only a week’s duration. The deceased lad, who was only 23 years old, was employed as an assistant in his father’s business, and it was only on Sunday week that he complained of feeling ill. Later it was found that he was suffering from double pneumonia, and in spite of all efforts to save him, he passed peacefully away as stated. During the war he served overseas with the Mechanical Transport Company and returned home after the armistice. His parents are well known in the Aberdare district, from whence they came to Nelson some 18 years ago, and at one time Mr Tom Peek (Senior) was a prominent figure in Aberdare sporting circles.
The funeral took place on Wednesday 14^th June at Llanfabon Churchyard.

[Source: Merthyr Express]