Name
Elijah Peasland
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/04/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
S/33036
Rifle Brigade
21st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MIKRA MEMORIAL
Greece
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial, St. Mary's Church Memorial, Rickmansworth
Pre War
Born 9th October 1889. Baptised 31st October 1889 Paddington Green, St. Mary's.
In the 1911 census his mother Martha Peasland is recorded as living at 111 Canal Side, Church Street, Rickmansworth. Also recorded at this address are Tom Peasland aged 25, the master of a barge born in Southall, Elijah aged 21 mate of a barge, born in Harefield and Ted Stokes aged 21, mate of a barge, born at Tipton Staffordshire.
The 1911 census also records Elijah's father Martin Peasland aged 46 the master of a canal boat born at Berkhamsted. At the time of the census he was on the "Ernest" near the canal bridge at Linslade, Buckinghamshire.
Wartime Service
On April 15th 1917 the vessel "Arcadian" with a company of 1,335 troops and crew was proceeding from Salonika to Alexandria, and was in the southern Aegean, 26 miles NE of Milo.
The troops had just completed a boat drill when a German submarine UC-74 approached unseen and discharged a torpedo which inflicted such extensive damage that the vessel sank in six minutes. Fortunately the men's recent exercise at the boats imparted steadiness and confidence and 1,058 were rescued, either through their won efforts or by the escorting destroyer.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Tanya Britton, Robert and Sally Williams
