Private Peter Pieraccini
Serving Soldiers' Biographies
Private Peter Pieraccini 19744 Bedfordshire Regiment
Peter Pieraccini was born on the 20th September 1886 in Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. He was the second son and 4th born, to James Robert Pieraccini and Elizabeth Haywood. In total 9 children. Peter's grandfather, Pietro Pierachini (many variations of the surname spelling over the years) was born in Tuscany, Italy and immigrated in the late 1820's to Liverpool, United Kingdom, which is the start of the family in the UK. Pietro married three times during his life in the UK and having a total of 8 children between two of them.
Growing up Peter learnt the family trade and became a master plasterer, in his own right, working along side his grand father, father, brothers, uncles and cousins. Pietro had some of his work displayed in "The Great Exhibition of 1851". His busts are still displayed in various locations around London. Highly sort after and exceptional with their skills, the Pieraccini's work can still be admired today in London as they were instrumental in the rebuilding of London's theatres and buildings after the war.
During this time Peter met his wife to be Ethel May Dyer, born 23rd August 1886 in Bellow Mill, Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom they were married on the 24th November 1906 in Luton and proceeded to have 6 children of their own. Unfortunately their time together was short and Peter never got to see his youngest son Bertie, as Peter was KIA on 12th October 1916 during enemy fire of WWI in France, a brave and determined soldier to the end, fighting for the rights of his family, friends and country.
Peter had signed up, along side his brothers and mates to defend his country. Serving with the 5th Batt. Bedfordshire Regiment, (No. 4223/4323 - the number is different on two documents in possession, human error I suspect) he was later discharged on the 18th September 1914, having served 132 days, due to being medically unfit for futher military service, however he resigning up, again serving with the 5th Batt. Bedfordshire Regiment (No. 19744) earning the Rank of Sergeant, but also claiming his life. He was an honourable and well respected soldier as well as a loving and devoted husband and father. He was the only member of his family who served to lose his life during WWI.
He is bruied in an isolated grave about 1/2 a mile S.E. of Beaulencourt and 3 miles S.E. of Bapaume, France.
31 years on this earth was not a long time, but the memories of this wonderful, skilled and selfless man, will never be forgotten. Through his children to theirs and so on, he will be remembered, as they all will, may they all rest in peace.
 War Postcard 2. Never Despair. No writing on back |  War Postcard 3. Best Love. No writing on back |  War Postcard 4. |
Full Obituary
A scan of the original is available: Peter Pieraccini Full Obituary, November 1916.
Another Luton Family Bereaved.
Sergt Peter Pieraccini Killed.
Sad indeed is the lot of Mrs. Pieraccini, of Luton,whose husband Sgt. P. Pieraccini, has been killed at the front, and who is now left with sex little children, the eldest of whom is only nine years old, to provide for.
Sgt Pieraccini was the son of Mr and Mrs J. R. Pieraccini, of 19 May Strret, Luton, and before theis war worked at Dunstable as a master plasterer. He enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment on March 1st 1915, at the age of 31, and was trained at Ampthill Camp. He got his first strips after being in the Army a fortnight, and was afterwards promoted to the rank of sergeant. He was drafted out to France in July, 1915, since which time the letters Mrs. Pieraccini had received from him have never contained any ill news. On one occassion, however, he said that he thought he would never come through the "Big Push" safely. This presentiment(?) was, unhappily fulfiled, for his wife recently received the following letter from a friend of his in France.
"Dear Mrs. Pieraccini, I am sorry to say I cannot give you much information about your husband. I was with him just before we went into action, but he was in a different platoon from mine. When we came out of action, being old chums, I inquired about him and I am very sorry to say he was reported missing. It has just been reported to our battalion that he was killed and that he was found by another regiment. We all express our deepest sympathy with you and your dear little children. We all know he was a good husband and a good solider, and was respected by everyone in the regiment. Yours truly, James Taylor.
Sgt. Pieraccini, had been previously wounded.
He was a popular member of the Dunstable Football Club and had two medals for distinction in the Dunstable Team.
Death Notice
The Late Sergt. Pieraccini.
Mrs Pieraccini of Luton, has received the following letter from Cpl. Taylor, who is with the Bedfordshire Regiment in France, with regards to the death of her brother, Sgt P.Pieraccini, which we reported last week.
"Dear Mrs. Pieraccini, the news must have been a great shock to all of you. We were always great chums together in the .... but at Ampthill Park. We came out together, and I should like to have been with him to the last. He often used to talk of the loved ones at home and his dear wife and loving children. I know by his ways he was a good husband to his wife. He was so straight forward and liked by everyone in the regiment. He was fond of football and boxing. We miss him very much. I know he would be brave up to the last. I pray that the Lord will ... to his dear wife and children and that they are well provided for. There is not a day goes by ... what I think about them as I know Peter was very fond of children. I know it is hard to part with your loved ones. It was his turn to be killed early we never know when it will be ours. We have to keep a smiling face and a brave heart.
In a postcript Cpl. Taylor adds - Sgt Pieraccini won the .... ... regimental boxing competition and was picked out to represent the _____ Batt. Bedfordshire Regiment as ............ .......... in the brigade ........... (end is not clear enough to read anything).
Credits
By his Gt Grand Daughter, Vanessa Evans, Australia.