His face half blown off at the Somme, he found love with his nurse
11/11/1918-11/11/2018: 100 years since end of World War 1 Readers share their memories of loved ones who fought for our freedom
As we approach the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, we will be telling the stories of the ordinary people who made an extraordinary sacrifice for our country. Here, Peter Edwards, 71, from Forest Hill, London, pays tribute to his great uncle James Peyman.
James Albert Peyman was born in Marylebone, London, in 1889, the youngest of six.
In 1908 he emigrated to Canada, and was working as an accountant when war broke out. In July 1915 he enlisted as a Private with the 50th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force attached to the Fourth Canadian Division.
It was at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 that disaster struck. I’m not sure what happened or on which day, but James was badly injured, his lower face blown away. He lost his chin and lower nose. For a young man it must have felt like his life was over – but the truth was far from it. He was eventually
transferred Kent, reconstruction which to launched The programme Queen’s a pioneering Hospital in early surgical 1917. in Sidcup,
Undergoing countless operations to repair his features, he was tended by a nurse, Ruth Mackensie, from Edinburgh. The pair fell in love.
James remained at the hospital for two years, and in 1919, while he was still an inpatient, the pair married at the church across the road.
James was discharged later that year, and
the had pair three moved sons and together a daughter. to Canada where they
Ruth passed away in 1939 aged just 45, and James eventually returned to Kent where he married again. He died in 1962.
That they met in hospital and she fell in love with him despite his injuries is so poignant.
I never met my great uncle, but he fought bravely, and I’m so glad to hear after suffering so much he found some joy.