| Regimental number | 114 |
| Date of birth | |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Leongatha, Victoria |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 28 |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Emma Peeler, Castlemaine, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 3rd Pioneer Battalion, Machine Gun Section |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 14/15/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 3rd Pioneer Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Victoria Cross Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Victoria Cross 'For most conspicuous bravery when, with a Lewis gun, accompanying the first wave of the assault, he encountered an enemy party sniping the advancing troops from a shell hole. Lance Corrporal Peeler immediately rrushed the position, and accounted for nine of the enemy, and cleaed the way for the advance. On two subsequent occasions, he performed similar acts of valour, and each time accounted for a number of the enemy. During operations, he was directed to a position from which an enemy machine gun was being fired on our troops. He located and killed the gunner, and the remainder of the enemy party ran into a dugout close by. From this shelter they were dislodged by a bomb, and ten of the enemy ran out. These he disposed of. This non-commissioned officer actually accounted for over thirty of the enemy. He displayed an absolute fearlessness in making his way ahead of the first wave of the assault, and the fine example which he set insured the success of the attack against most determined opposition.
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal Also served in World War II: Service No VX8345. |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 80 |
| Place of burial | Brighton Cemetery, Victoria |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
