Alfred Hector Peterson

Private

Conflict:

WW2

Additional Information:

Son of Henry and Florence May Peterson, of New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand.

References:

CWGC

New Zealand Nominal Rolls (WW2)

Henderson (1958)

NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

“Later, at 6.30 p.m. [16 April 1941], an armoured troop-carrier crossed the demolition and took cover under a bluff in front of B Company. The troops aboard went to ground in the valley between B and D Companies. No further attempts were made to get through 22 Battalion, which during the afternoon and early evening had more wounded: Privates Christiansen and Meek (D Company) and Sergeant Ford and Private Weir (B Company). Two men missing believed killed, Privates Norris and Peterson, were captured.” Footnote at end of chapter: “Pte A. H. Peterson; born NZ 16 Oct 1918; painter; p.w. 16 Apr 1941; killed while p.w. 3 Dec 1942.” [Henderson (1958)]

“MURDER OF SOLDIER P.A. NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 22. Private Alfred Hector Peterson, the son of Mrs F. M. Peterson, Stoke street, New Plymouth, was reported as a prisoner of war in operations on Crete in 1941, and later was listed as killed. It is now revealed that Private Peterson was murdered by the enemy, and one of the culprits has been sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment. This advice has been received by Mrs Peterson in a letter from Army headquarters. The letter stated that it was considered that the shooting of Private Peterson was, in fact, murder and a breach of the laws and usages of war. The matter was, therefore, listed and investigated as a war crime by the United Nations War Crimes Commission. One of the accused was traced by a military court in the Central Mediterranean area between September 26 and October 3, 1946, found guilty, and sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment. A second accused had not yet been apprehended, but efforts were being made to trace him and bring him to trial.” [Otago Daily Times, Issue 26367, 23 January 1947, Page 6]

Public Contributions:

Submitted by: Rae Watson

Relationship to casualty: Relative

Sadly Alfred was murdered by the enemy whilst a prisoner of war. One culprit was sentenced to just 17 years in prison. Reference: Paperspast dated 22-23 January 1947. [Record since amended - NZWGT]...

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Casualty

Service Number:

30016

Name:

Alfred Hector Peterson

Rank:

Private

Date of Birth:

16 October 1918

Place of Birth:

New Zealand

Next of Kin:

Mrs F M Peterson (mother), Stokes Street, Westown, New Plymouth

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Locality on Enlistment:

Stokes Street, Westown, New Plymouth

Place of Enlistment:

New Plymouth, New Zealand

Marital Status:

Single

Occupation on Enlistment:

Painter

Unit:

New Zealand Infantry, 22 (Motor) Battalion

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Homicide

Date of Death:

03 December 1942

Day of Death:

Thursday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW2

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:

Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF)

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Klagenfurt War Cemetery

Cemetery Reference:

6. D. 16.

Cemetery Location:

Austria