John A Peters

John Peters, who has died aged 90, was a leader of the Liverpool business and social community who kept silence for more than half a century about his wartime bravery.

In June and July 1944, 21-year old Peters was the first lieutenant of MTB 256, a fast motor-torpedo boat armed with 21-inch torpedoes, 20mm Oerlikon and several other quick-firing small-calibre guns.   Powered by three engines developing over 3,000 hp and driving her at 40 knots, and laden with 2,300 gallons of high-octane fuel, the 72-ft long MTB 256 was, like her sisters, very susceptible to damage and, if hit, likely to burst into flames.

On July 26, as part of the 14^th MTB Flotilla, commanded by Lieutenant D A Shaw RN (one of the few straight-laced [permanent career] officers to command in coastal forces), MTB 256  was running in to attack an enemy formation of E-boats when, a few minutes after midnight, she was lit by star shell and came under intense enemy fire.   At the chart in the wheelhouse below the bridge Peters felt the boat shudder and lurch violently off course, and rushing on deck he found his captain, Lieutenant Christopher Mounsey RNVR, dead, the cox’sun slumped over the wheel, and all the upperdeck crew bar two men wounded.   MTB 256 was charging at 30 knots towards the enemy shore half a mile away.   Peters seized the controls and turned the boat away from certain stranding and immediately began laying smoke which covered his retreat and also protected the withdrawal of the 14^th Flotilla.  Peters organised the care of the casualties, held a brief ceremony to bury his captain at sea, and returned to the fight until 0420 when his flotilla was again driven off under heavy enemy fire.

For his presence of mind and quick-thinking was Peters recommended for a mention in despatches, but when Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, the Commander in Chief Allied Naval Forces read of Peters’ deeds, he intervened to ensure that Peters should be awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for skill, enterprise and courage.  Peters leaned about his award whilst visiting Gieves the naval tailors:  he received the usual letter from HM the King some weeks later. 

John Ainslie Peters was born at Heswall on the Wirral and educated at Leas School and at Oundle.    He began to read architecture at Liverpool university but as soon as he could he volunteered for the Navy, and after initial service at sea was trained to be an officer and commissioned at HMS King Alfred, the RNVR officers’ training school in Sussex.

Postwar Peters became a quantity surveyor, joining GD Walford and partners, and rising to become senior partner at the Liverpool office:  among his outstanding projects were the Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Liverpool, and, in the 1970s, a new Vauxhall factory at Luton. Peters was also a member for more than sixty years, and president in 1967, of the Liverpool Artists’ Club where artists and the business and professional community of the city have met since the 19^th century.

Peters’ passion for the sea started as a teenager in Firefly dinghies at the Dee Sailing Club, when he met his wife, and where he became commodore in 1959.  He was also a member of the South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club, where very many of the club’s trophies bear his name.  In the summer and well into his 80s he used to cruise in his yacht Muscadet annually to Ireland and beyond of his life.

In the winter, come rain wind or shine, he was to be found promptly at 0815 on the first tee at Heswall Golf Club where he played in the same foursome for over 30 years.   He was also captain of the Construction Industry Golfing Society.  

Peters remained taciturn about his wartime deeds until interviewed by a grandson for a school project in 2010.

Peters married Gwennie Manson in 1952 who survives him with their six children.

John Peters, born May 13 1923, died November 24 2013.