Pte 49052 Dewi Peter John

• Age: 24
• From: St Dogmaels, Pembroke
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 28th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Cherisy Rd East Cem, Heninel
  Panel Ref: 34

Dewi Peter John was born in 1892 the son of Thomas John and his wife Ann (nee Francis) of Penrhiw, St Dogmaels. His parents married in September 1883.

On the 1891 census father Thomas John lived next door to Daniel John at 9 David St, St Dogmaels, Pembroke. Thomas is a 28 year old general labourer, Ann is 32, they have three children; Emy 7 scholar, John R. 4 scholar, Tom D. 8 months (all born St Dogmells).

The 1901 Census shows the family living at "Langbonvil?", St Dogmaels. His father Thomas is not at home but his mother Anne, aged 41, states that she is married. She has four children in the household; George Owen 13, Daniel 10, Dewi is aged 8 and Tom Francis 2

His brother, George, died December 1901. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at "Nantygro?", St Dogmaels. His father Thomas is still missing, mother Ann is married and aged 54. She has four children in the household; Amy 27 quilteress, Daniel 20 spinner, Dewi is aged 18, a weaver in woollen factory and Tom Francis 12 is at school. (Mother signs her name "Anne")

Prior to the war he was living at Narbeth.

Peter enlisted in Preston, joining the Royal Field Artillery as Private 136559. He was then transferred to the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 49052. He was killed in action during the Battle of the Scarpe on 28th April, 1917 aged 24.

Peter know rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery in Heninel, France at Plot 34. His headstone is shared with Lance Corporal 49050 Joseph Schofield Orrell of the 17th Battalion who rests at Plot 33. Peter's headstone bears the epitaph:

"BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD" 

The village of Heninel was captured in a snowstorm on 12 April 1917 by the 56th (London) and 21st Division. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division, advancing from Heninel on the two following days, captured Wancourt Tower. Cherisy Road East Cemetery was made by the 30th and 33rd Division Burial Officers in April 1917. The cemetery contains 82 First World War burials, 19 of which are unidentified. 

Soldiers Effects to father Thomas and pension to sister Amy.

He is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

St Dogmael's War Memorial

Cardigan Secondary School War Memorial.

His mother Anne died in 1932 aged 73.

We currently have no further information on Dewi Peter John. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.