This photo was taken outside their billets at Filey in Yorkshire Musicians Left to right as viewed = Parrot : Goodacre : Hills : Peake : Bird - It was a staged photo of the group of musicians.
He enlisted before the 1/8/17 - this was the first time his name is found in the very scant records that exist for this unit.
He later served as Pte. 290030 in the 5th Battalion Bedford Regiment and as Pte. 295270 in the 4th London Regt.
He was discharged twice - once in 1917 and finally discharged in 6/9/1918.
A great sportsman he was in a boxing match, he won all of his rounds - One such event took place between members of the 1/1st HCB at The Grand Theatre Filey on Friday night 28/1/1916. It was apparently a packed house and a good night of entertainment, with a number of Peterborough and district men carrying off several prizes.
In the lightweight event, i.e. under 9st. 9lbs of an event open to all men belonging to the Detached Mounted Forces, Northern Command, Pte. Tom Peake of Fletton weighing in at 9st. 5lbs. first beat Pte. Pratt, also 1/1st HCB, on points. The contests all lasted three rounds. In the next event he beat Pte. B. H. McDonald 1/7th Cyclist Battalion attached Welsh Regiment, but in the last event against Pte. W. Hinchcliffe, 18th Q.M.O. Hussars, he was forced to retire with a damaged left thumb, but ended the event with the second prize. As he also played in the HCB band this injury also must have had the effect that he had problems playing his instrument. In a special six round heavyweight match on the same bill, L/Corp. Hollis of Hartford and Pte. Beeby of Broadway Yaxley had a cracking fight, which was finally won on points by Beeby. The winner received three guineas and the loser one guinea.
He later became manager at Peterborough United Football club.
He served in the HCB = 1-8-17 to 17-8-17 and in the 4th London's = 18-8-18 to 27-11-17.
If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@msn.com
07/03/2007