Peter, Alastair Gordon
Rank: Captain
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 1/6th Seaforth Highlanders
Biography: Son of John Peter, factor ; born Kilmorack, 8 September 1877; M.A., 1898; M.B., 1903; M.R.C.S. (Eng.) ; L.R.C.P. (Lond.); D.P.H. (Camb.). At different times he held the following appointments :—Bacteriologist and Deputy M.O.H., Croydon; Assistant M.O., Brook and Grove Fever Hospitals, London ; Assistant Medical Superintendent, St. Pancras Infirmary ; and was Medical Officer, Prestea Hospital, Gold Coast, when war broke out. As soon as he was relieved Peter joined the 51st (Highland) Division early in 1916, and after a short period with the 1/2nd Highland Field Ambulance was posted as Medical Officer to the 1/6th Seaforths, with which unit he served until his death. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the best regimental medical officers in the Division, keen, gallant and conscientious in the discharge of his duties. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry under fire at the Battle of Beaumont Hamel on 13 November, 1916, while attending to the wounded during the action and clearing the field afterwards. He died of wounds from a shell received while in discharge of his duties north of Ypres in the action of 5 July 1917. His cheery optimism and unfailing good temper combined with his high professional abilities procured him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
Honours: Military Cross
Date of Death: 05 July 1917
Burial Details: Buried at Canada Farm Cemetery, Elverdinghe, Plot 1, Row A, Grave 13.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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