First World War hero George Peachment to be remembered in £8.5 million care scheme

Rifleman George Stanley Peachment, who died in the heat of battle protecting his commanding officer, aged just 18, will be remembered in a new £8.5 housing complex for old people in the borough — Peachment Place.

His name was chosen following a public vote, after the council and its partners selected him from a list of significant Bury people.

Born at Parkhills in Fishpool in 1897, to hairdresser and newsagent George Henry Peachment and elementary school mistress Mary nee Barnes, and later moving to Tottington, Private Peachment studied engineering at Bury Technical College before becoming an apprentice at Ashworth and Parker and JH Riley.

After he was first turned down from signing up due to being underage, Private Peachment succeeded in joining the Kings Royal Rifles Corps in April 1915, giving his age as 19.

The company was posted to France in July 1915 and joined the Battle of Loos on September 25.

During heavy fire Private Peachment saw his company commander, Captain Guy Dubs, wounded and crawled to help.

During intense fire and with no thought for his own safety, even choosing not to take cover in a nearby shell hole, he remained in the open with his officer, attempting to aid him.

However while doing so he was first injured by a bomb and then mortally wounded by a rifle bullet a minute later.

Private Peachment's body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Loos memorial in the Dud Corner Cemetery in France.

A memorial service was held at Parkhills United Methodist Church in October 1915, and Captain Dubs, who survived the attack, recommended Private Peachment for the Victoria Cross — presented to his mother at Buckingham Palace in November 1916.

He was also posthumously awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal 1914-19 and Bury's first memorial stone in Tribute to Private Peachment was unveiled in Tottington in 2015.

Private Peachment's name will now go towards the development, due to open in St Peter's Road in October, providing 60 purpose built one and two bed extra care apartments for over 55s, alongside a hair and beauty salon, a bistro, gardens and other amenities.

Councillor Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “Looking after our neediest residents is our highest priority, and this superb development will provide much needed additional high quality extra care facilities at an affordable rent. Residents will have their own front door and personal space, along with access to care and support where needed, communal facilities and organised activities.

“Naming the development Peachment Place is a fitting tribute to a young Bury man whose first thought, even in mortal danger, was to help another in need.

John Wilson, managing director from Eric Wright Construction, who are building the homes added: “This unique development has been carefully designed and planned to allow older local residents to maintain their quality of life in a place that’s safe and meets individual care needs."