Edward William Peckham

Story:
Edward William Peckham was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 17 Oct 1900 the son of Reuben Abner Peckham, a Market Gardener and Haulier, and Melina Peckham (nee Burt).  He spent all his early life in Donhead St. Mary and attended Shaftesbury Grammar School from 1912 to 1917. He did well academically, winning the form prize annually and gaining distinctions in Algebra and English in the Preliminary Cambridge Local Examination in 1914.

Edward enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps (Royal Air Force from 1 Apr 1918) as a Boy (Service No. 149046).  He was classed as a Learner on the Aero Engineering section and served in the UK only eventually becoming a Private Class 2 described as a Learner Aero Engine Fitter.  He was discharged on 24 May 1919.  No medal record can be found.  By the 1921 Census he was boarding at 2 Norrisville Road, Bristol, described as a Commercial Student. He married Dorothy Florence Hitchings in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, in 1935.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 40 Hazelbury Road, Bristol, described as an Accountant/Costing Clerk.  His death was recorded at the Blandford, Dorset, Registry on 26 Jan 1996.

Printed Sources:
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, October 1914
Shaftesbury Grammar School Magazine, November 1917