Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The Age 10 July 1915.

"FANCY STAYING BEHIND!"

"Fancy a fellow staying behind at a time like this," wrote Q.M.C.S. Campbell M. Peter to his mother, who lives at Cobden, Victoria. "If I had not come, I would have been ashamed to look the world in the face. A fellow who has no ties to keep him back and does not come is nothing but a coward. If it is God's will that we have to die, we will die honourably, doing our little bit."

Pathetic interest attaches to this letter, the writer having since "died honourably” of wounds received in action.

Cobden Times 15 May 1915.

"Feelings of grief, mingled with pride were felt in Cobden on Saturday morning last when it became known that Q.M. Sergt. Campbell Peter, son of Mr and Mrs Robert Peter, of Cobden, had succumbed to injuries received during the action of the Australian troops in the fighting at the Dardanelles. This was the first Cobden volunteer reported to have fallen in action.

As a mark of respect to the late soldier the flag was flown at half-mast at the Shire hall. The Presbyterian Church was draped in black and special references were made in all the churches on Sunday.

The late Quarter-Master Sergeant C. McD. Peter was born at Cobden on July 1, 1894, and would have reached his 21st birthday on July 1 next. He attended the local State school up to the time he entered the Warrnambool High School for training as a school teacher. He was successful in his studies and received his first appointment to the Terang State school where he made good progress and was a general favourite with all connected with the school. He was some time afterwards promoted and sent to the Camperdown school. There he also took a great interest in the work of the scholars and anything for the welfare of the school. So well did he acquit himself that he was appointed to the charge of the State school at St. Clair, near Wonthaggi, where he remained until ho enlisted. Ho gave promise of becoming one of the most successful teachers in the department. The late soldier was about the first Cobden boy to enlist. From his boyhood days he took a keen interest in military matters. In his school days he belonged to the cadets, and while in Camperdown he was appointed Second-Lieutenant in the Citizen Forces. He resigned his commission and entered as a private in the Imperial forces, and two or three days after enlisting he was appointed Colour-Sergeant and was given great praise (or his work by the Colonel)..…"

His brother Private Norman Peter, served with the 4th Light Horse Regiment and was returned home during March 1916 after being wounded at Gallipoli.