Peter joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937 and on the outbreak of war in 1939 was an efficient Sergeant pilot. He had completed a number of bombing missions over Germany and then later posted to the Near East, declining to take a commission, preferring to remain an NCO.

Peter was the second pilot in Wellington Bomber T2956 flying out of RAF Stradishall, 9 miles SW of Bury St Edmonds. He was conducting an air test when the aircraft is believed to have iced up while flying in cloud and crashed 12:40 hrs at Great Wratting, 2 miles NNE of Haverhill, Suffolk on Wednesday 8^th January 1941. At the time of his death Peter was 26 years old.

Eldest son of Harry Johnson Peart & Nesta Aline Peart of Edgbaston, Birmingham, Warwickshire.

Peter is the second OW killed on active service to be buried in Birmingham (Lodge Hill) Cemetery.

A copy of this story may be downloaded here.

See also the Commonwealth War Graves Commission permanent digital memorial, ‘Evermore: Stories of the fallen’ relating to:- Sergeant Peter Robert PEART