Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur and Ellen Pegg. The War Diary entry for the 21st February 1916 records. ST. AMAND. The working parties of today were shelled in ST CROSS STREET and lost 1 man killed and 5 wounded.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday March 3rd, 1916

HUGGLESCOTE SOLDIER KILLED

TRIBUTES FROM OFFICER AND COMRADES

Mr and Mrs Arthur Pegg, of Crescent Road, Hugglescote, have had the sad news that their son, Private Arthur Pegg, of the C. Company, 9th Leicesters, was killed in action in France, on February 21st.

The first inclination came in a letter from Lieut. H. E. Melburn, who, writing on February 21st, stated: “I regret to have to inform you that your son was killed this morning by a piece of shell whilst working in the trenches. It will, however, be of comfort to you to know that I considered him one of my best men. He was always cheerful under all circumstances and was a splendid soldier. He has certainly done all he could for his country’s cause. Assuring you of my deepest sympathy, etc.”

A letter dated February 23rd, and received on Sunday morning from the Rev. Hugh F. Sawbridge, chaplain, stated that the deceased soldier was buried at 4.45 pm, on February 22nd, in a military cemetery in a little French village by the side of the graves of several other brave men who had given their lives for their country. A little wooden cross bearing his name was being put over his grave. Two of his officers were present at the funeral. The letter concludes, “Please accept my sincerest sympathy. May our Heavenly Father give you strength to bear your great loss.”

Another letter has been received from a cousin of deceased, Quarter-master Sergeant Harold Pegg, of Whitwick, who writes, “Dear Uncle, It is with a feeling of sadness that I write this letter, and to give you the heart-breaking news I have to tell you. Still, it has to be done, and I pray God will help you and all your family to bear it. Arthur was killed in action yesterday. He was in the trenches at the time, when a shell came and burst close to him. His death was instantaneous, and he suffered no pain. He will be buried today (February 22nd) and I shall be at the funeral if my officer will give me permission. I saw Arthur, and had a chat only last Sunday. He looked in perfect health, and I can tell you it was a great shock to me when two of his chums told me he was killed last night. I know how keenly you will all feel it, but there is one consolation – he died for freedom and justice, and gave his life willingly for his country and his God. Good-bye, dear Uncle, don’t grieve too much, for I am sure he would not have wished you to.”

A great tribute is paid to the deceased soldier by a comrade, Private Archie Martin, who, writing to his sister at Mr B. B. Drewett’s (Hugglescote), says: “I have got some awful news to tell you this time. Arthur Pegg got killed this morning. I was not with him then, but I was with him last night, and we were joking, little thinking it would be the last time. We have been together since we enlisted, and it has fairly taken all the heart out of me and the other lads in the platoon. He was so well-liked by all the company. I can hardly take it in, but another of my pals has just been to tell me that he died in his arms. Five more of my pals were wounded at the same time out of the platoon. We have had good luck up to now, but it is all coming at once. We have lost the best lad in the platoon, and me and the lads are going to write his mother later on.”

Private Pegg was 26 years of age, and was Mr Pegg’s second son. He enlisted on September 15th, 1914, and had been at the front since last July. Before the war, he assisted his father in his business as a painter and decorator.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS

Mr and Mrs A. Pegg, of Crescent Road, Hugglescote, desire to tender their sincere thanks for the many kind expressions of sympathy they have received on the occasion of the death of their beloved son, Arthur, killed in action in France, February 21st, 1916.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 2nd, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service was held at St. John’s Church, Hugglescote, on Sunday evening for two Hugglescote soldiers who have been killed in action – Privates A. Pegg, of Crescent Road, and J. W. Cowley, of North Street, both of the Leicestershire Regiment. Cowley was the tenor horn player in the Hugglescote and Ellistown Silver Prize Band, the members of which attended the service, and played the hymn, “Fight the Good Fight” and also the “Dead March” at the close. Suitable hymns were sung and appropriate reference was made to the deceased by Canon Broughton (vicar) in the course of the sermon. There was a large congregation.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 12/10/2017