Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of David and Esther Peebles;his father, David Peebles was a Blacksmith. Husband of Mary Peebles, of 3, Stewart Lane, Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales.

David Alexander was his second son. He was 37.

Siblings: John, Isabella & Agnes.

David was an 18 year old Millworker when he enlisted with the Royal Navy. On 24 February 1898, David signed on for a period of 12 years. He served on HMS Caledonia as Boy 2nd Class from 27 August 1895, was rated as Boy 1st Class on 21 May 1896 and transferred to HMS Edinburgh as Boy 1st Class on 24 November 1996; HMS Pembroke on 20 January, 1897; HMS East of India on 12 February 1897; HMS Jupiter on 8 June 1897. He was rated as Ordinary Seaman while on HMS Jupiter on 24 February 1898, transferred to HMS Pembroke on 23 June 1898; HMS Champion on 1 November 1898; HMS Pembroke on 13 May 1899; HMS Severn on 20 September 1899, and rated as Able seaman on HMS Severn on 21 June 1900; HMS Pembroke on 30 August 1902; HMS Wildfire on 26 November 1902; HMS Pembroke on 18 June 1903; HMS Seylla on 23 September 1903; HMS Pembroke on 2 July 1904, then rated as Leading Seaman on 1 September 1904. He transferred to HMS Irresistible on 1 December 1904, rated as Petty Officer on 1 January 1905; HMS Pembroke on 27 November 1906; HMS Wildfire on 17 April 1907; HMS Pembroke on 12 December 1907; HMS Royal Arthur on 13 January 1908; HMS Robin on 4 March 1908, then rated as Able Seaman on 21 January 1909; HMS Flora on 15 February 1909; HMS Terrible on 7 September 1909; HMS Pembroke on 16 October 1909; rated as Leading Seaman on 26 October 1909; HMS Endymion on 16 December 1909; HMS Pembroke on 23 February 1911 to 25 February 1910.

David signed an agreement with the Royal Australian Navy on 26 January 1913 for a period of five years. He was listed at London Depot as Leading Seaman on 26 January 1913 until 20 June 1913, then transferred to HMAS Australia on 21 June 1913. Leading Seaman David Peebles was assessed on 31 December 1913, 31 December 1914 and  on 24 July 1915. On all occasions his ability was rated as Superior.

In 1914 in the district of Annandale, Sydney, NSW, Australia, a birth was registered to David A. Peebles and Mary H. Peebles, of 3 Stewart Lane, Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales. They were known to have had two children.

Dundee Courier 30th July 1915

A WOUNDED AUSTRALIAN’S DEATH.

A chaplain in a letter to Mrs Gowans, who resides at 22 Bernard Street, Dundee, states that her brother, A.B. David Peebles, attached to the Australian Navy and serving on H.M.A.S. Australia, has died suddenly.

The chaplain does not state if death occurred as the result of wounds, although it is known that Peebles was in hospital suffering from wounds in both legs and arm.

Deceased was a native of Dundee, and at one time resided at 150 Princes Street.  He served for 16 years in the British Navy, when he was transferred to the Australian Navy, with which he was connected for three years.  As a result of his transference his wife and family emigrated to Australia.  Peebles was 37 years of age, and leaves a widow and two of a family.