Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Richard Peach Hornby, a tanner, born 1868 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, who was the son of William Peach Hornby and Elizabeth Peach Hornby and his wife Mary Hornby (nee Hewitt, married in the 1st quarter of 1893 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district)) born in 1862 in Great Dalby, Leicestershire. Frank was born on the 19th November 1894 in Melton Mowbray, his siblings were, John William, born 1894 and Ida Elizabeth, born 29th March 1897, both siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 48, Southern Lane, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Frank was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing in the family home at 48, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a tanner, his mother and siblings, John, a domestic gardener, Ada, a laundress, Rose Ella, born 12th December 1901 and Harold Percy Peach, born 1903, the latter two siblings were both born in Melton Mowbray. Frank was officially recorded at birth as Frank Hornby, the surname Peach, appears to have been widely used by all family members including Frank’s paternal Grandparents and thus leads to confusion when attempting to access official documents under the true family name.
Frank first entered the theatre of war in France on the 30th June 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 3 Oct-18 - MAGNY LA FOSSE. 6.05am. Barrage starts. Attack entirely successful and all objectives captured including village of MONT - BREHAIN. 8.30am. Battalion received orders to move up in support of 137th Infantry Brigade and occupy captured German front line. Battalion moved off in artillery formation, “A” Company (PETCH) right supported by “B” Company (HAWLEY), “D” Company (CORAH) left supported by “C” Company (BANWELL) total fighting strength about 245 all ranks. 9.15am. As Battalion was approaching LEVERGIES message received that it was still uncertain in whose hands SEQUEHART was. By the time any action could be taken “A” and “C” Companies were already on line of SEQUEHART – PRESELLES ROAD (SUNKEN) where they remained, as this provided the only cover in the neighbourhood. The “FONSOMME” LINE was only cut to a depth of 6 inches with Machine Gun emplacements at intervals. “D” Company were too far left, so was brought across to form a defensive flank 300 yards on the north side of SEQUEHART village. “B” Company remained in reserve on LEVERGIES – PRESELLES ROAD. Battalion Headquarters on bank of railway line LEVERGIES – JONNESCOURT about 750 yards east of former village, with Battalion Headquarters of 5th Battalion SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGT (WHITE). Greatest difficulty experienced in obtaining any accurate information with regard to SEQUEHART, but by 11.00am village certainly in our hands because it was heavily shelled by the enemy. An enemy 77mm battery about 700 yards south of the village fired point blank at “C” Company in the sunken road which it almost enfiladed. 2.00pm. Owing to late arrival of Cavalry 137th Brigade were unable to hold the enormous front that they had gained without help, and enemy was still holding the commanding position of DOON HILL from which he swept whole area with heavy Machine Gun fire. 3.00pm. “A” and “D” Companies ordered to attack DOON HILL, formed up on PRESELLES – SEQUEHART ROAD North of “C” Company. Preliminary reconnaissance carried out in spite of enemy’s fire but the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel J. L. GRIFFITHS, Captain D. B. PETCH, M.C. and 2nd Lieutenant A. J. MACE were all wounded. Lieutenant S. CORAH and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. CHRISTY were both killed. ½ “A” Company (DENNIS) got as far as just south of high ground on SEQUEHART – RAMICOURT ROAD, ½ “A” Company (EDWARDES) were prevented from starting. Both parties dug trenches in where they were. “D” Company (C.S.M. COOPER) were left without an officer and had no instructions, so dug in 200 yards south east of PRESELLES FARM. 5.00pm. Enemy’s counter-attack re took MONT BREHAIN. The Adjutant Captain J. D. HILLS assumed command of the Battalion. 6.00pm. In order to meet further counter attacks, should they develop, “B” Company (HAWLEY) sent to occupy high ground on RAMICOURT ROAD. Lieutenant S. G. H. STEELE took over command of “D” Company but was at once wounded in the leg, however he managed to continue at work. 8.30pm. Dismounted Cavalry came up to assist in holding the line. Enemy shelled at once very heavily, C.S.M. ANGRAVE, “C” Company very badly wounded. Everybody expected enemy to make further counter-attacks but none materialised and night passed quietly, rations and water all sent up. This is the third consecutive day on which the Cavalry have been waiting for a “break” and have had to return unsuccessful.
On Friday October 11th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – SERGT. F. PEACH KILLED. News has reached Mr. and Mrs. Peach, 48, Saxby-rd., Melton Mowbray, on Wednesday, that their second son, Sergt. F. Peach, Leicester’s, was killed in action on Oct. 4th. It was contained in a letter from Corpl. Sidney G. Barber (son of Mr. Barber, signalman, Scalford), in the course of which he said: “We were advancing along a sunken road which was being shelled rather badly, and one of the shells unfortunately dropped near Frank and several others. Billy Fairbrother (son of Mr. G. Fairbrother, Leicester-place, Melton), was wounded by the same shell. No doubt he will be able to tell you more about it, as I was with another platoon some distance away. I can assure you he was killed instantly, and suffered no pain.” Deceased was 23 years of age, and was previously employed by Captain Forester, Saxelbye Park. He joined up in Nov., 1914, and had been in France 3 years last June. And in the same issue under the heading: - “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. PEACH. – Sergt. F. Peach, 241046, Leicestershire Regt., killed in action, Oct. 4th, age 23, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Peach, 43, Saxby Rd.
On Friday October 18th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – THE LATE SERGT. PEACH. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Peach, 43, Saxby-rd., Melton Mowbray, have received the following letter confirming the news which we published last week of the death in action of their son, Sergt. F. Peach, Leicester’s: - “In the Field. Oct. 7th, 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. Peach and Family. It is with the deepest sorrow and sympathy that I write to inform you of the death of your son. He was gallantly leading his men through fierce shell fire when he met his death, and it may be a little comfort to you to know that it was all over in an instant. I feel that I have lost a personal friend as well as a most capable and courageous platoon Sergeant. I have put his name forward for a decoration, and sincerely hope it will be granted, so that you may have a token of his worth. May God comfort you all. Yours very sincerely, Edwin Cosgrove, 2nd Lieut.
And in the same issue under the heading: “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Peach and family, 43, Saxby-rd., Melton Mowbray, desire to return their sincere thanks for the numerous expressions of sympathy which they have received in respect of the death of their son, Sergt. F. Peach, killed in action.
NOTE: The true family name is Hornby.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Image provided by H Mason, March 2022