Peter Hunter (1888-1915)
Oxhill miner who served as an able seaman in the Royal Naval Division was one of three brothers who fell in active service
Peter Hunter was born in Oxhill on 29 December 1888. His father was coal miner William Hunter (born 1851) from Felling. His mother was Hannah Hunter nee Ritson (born 1854), a colliery inspector’s daughter from Amble, Northumberland. His parents married around 1871 and had 13 children of whom two died in infancy. Peter had six brothers and four sisters.
At the time of the 1901 census Peter and his family were living at 1 Sandhole Row, Oxhill. By the time of the 1911 census he was living with his oldest sister, Catherine Cattle nee Hunter, and her family at 86 Poplar Street, South Moor. At this time, Peter was working as a miner. He married Dorothy Hunter nee Pattison in the last few months of 1912 in Lanchester.
Peter enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) on 15 January 1915. He was drafted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) on 28 June 1915 and joined 4 platoon of the Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division (RND) on 18 July 1915.
Whilst serving in operations against the Dardanelles, Peter suffered a wound to his right buttock on 13 August 1915. He contracted amoebic dysentery and died on the hospital ship Aquitania on 20 October 1915. He is buried at East Mudros Cemetery, Island of Lemnos, Greece and is remembered locally in the Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Andrew’s Church, Stanley.
Peter Hunter was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.
Submitted by a member of the family:
Peter Hunter was my great grand father. I would like to add to Peter’s story by letting you know that he was a father of two sons: William and John (Jack). Peter also lost two other brothers in Flanders. Ernest and Vender Hunter served with 12th Battalion Durham Light infantry and were both killed on 26 January 1916 by the same shell. They are buried side by side in X Farm Cemetery at La Chapelle D’ Armentieres.
A football match between Annfield Plain and West Stanley was held on Good Friday 1916 for the benefit of the three Hunter brothers who fell on active service.
Civil Parish: South Moor
Birth date: 29-Dec-1888
Death date: 20-Oct-1915
Armed force/civilian: Navy
Residence: 1 Sandhole Row, Oxhill (1901 census)
86 Poplar Street, South Moor (1911 census)
15 Woodbine Terrace, Annfield Plain (Address on Royal Naval Division Casualty Record)
Employment: Miner – Hewer (1911 census)
Family: Parents: William Hunter (b 1851), Hannah Hunter nee Ritson (b 1854)
Siblings: Catherine Hunter (b 1876), Wilson Ritson Hunter (b 1877), William Hunter (b 1879), Joseph Hunter (b 1882), Meggie Hunter (b 1884), Vender Hunter (b 1887), Ernest Hunter (b 1891), Unity Hunter (b 1893), Lillian Hunter (b 1896), George Hunter (b 1898)
Spouse: Dorothy Hunter nee Pattison
Military service:
Enlisted Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 15 January 1915
Service number TZ/3357, Able Seaman, Royal Naval Division
Anson Battalion, 4 Platoon, 18 July 1915
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Memorial(s): East Mudros Cemetery, Island of Lemnos, Aegean Sea (Grave III B 57)
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Andrew’s Church, Stanley
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham | Spence07
