Edward Walter Peacock
Edward, also known as Ed or Eddie, (RNZNVR 2387) served on HMNZS Leander, HMNZS Neptune, HMNZS Leander, HMNZS Nora Niven, and HMNZS Gambia (November 1944 to March 1946).
Jeffrey, Edward's grandson wrote that...
Wattie Bird was granddad's mate as was Bob Papps; they all came from Takaka along with 3 - 4 others they were called the Goldenbayites. They served 1944-45, Wattie was in the landing party that went ashore with Jack Stuart from Hokitika he [Wattie] gave granddad his weee pocket will in case a nip got him. They weren't none to keen to go ashore especially to a naval base. Granddad said the yanks were too scared to do it them selves. They were also following a yank destroyer along the coast of Honsu and came across a light house the yanks fired God knows how many shells at it and only took a chip out of the side of the light house. The ole Gambia came steaming up fired one shot and blew to pieces - apparently, so the story goes.
Granddad's least favorite job, he absolutely loathed it, was locking all the doors at action stations he didnt like knowing that they couldn't get out if hit, but it would stop the whole ship from flooding and going under - but they all survived. Wattie had a milk bar in Takaka and they had [all the crew that lived in Takaka after the war] their own little table in their own little corner in the pub. Granddad took me over [from Motueka] to have a beer with them on their usual meeting day was a great experience to sit and listen and watch them wind each other up.
Men from Takaka, Golden Bay, New Zealand
Photo from Nelson Photo News, No 14 : December 9, 1961
The photo was given to the Nelson Photo News by Ed Peacock who served on HMNZS Gambia and Leander. Pictured from the left are Bob Papps, Charlie Stade (Motueka), Ian Feary, Ed Peacock, Norm Anderson, Watty Bird, and Dixon. Another crew member, Bruce King, was on duty when this photo was taken.
Ian Feary, Bob Papps, Eddie Peacock and Watty Bird in 1991
The men knew each other as children, joined the services together in 1939, served on HMS Gambia when it fired the last shots of World War II, and are still friends.
From New Zealand Geographic, The End of the Rainbow, Issue 10, April/June 1991. Photo by Arno Gasteiger.
You may recognize the framed print they are holding. It was used as the cover of HMNZS Gambia by Jack S. Harker. Moana Press, New Zealand, 1989.
Edward also served on the cruiser HMNZS Leander. She was hit by a single torpedo from the Japanese cruiser Jintsu,just abaft 'A' boiler room on July 13, 1943. 26 crew from the boiler room and the No.1 4-inch gun mount immediately above were killed or posted missing. Among the killed was Edward's friend Arthur Edwards. The ship was so badly damaged that she took no further part in the war. She was first repaired in Auckland, then proceeded to a full refit in Boston.
Edward was born on November 4, 1922 and passed away on June 15, 2013 aged 90. He is buried in Motueka Cemetery.