Peter Charles Safe was Chelmsford-born and served in the Royal Artillery during the war. He survived over 1,000 air raids on Malta, working on an anti-aircraft battery. He was accidentally killed in August 1943 in Jerusalem when returning from church.

Peter was born in Chelmsford on 15th April 1921, the eldest son of Frederick Charles Safe (1881-1932) and Maude Safe (nee Doole) (1885-1969). His parents had married in 1915.

He was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Springfield on 25th June 1921. At the time his father was a works manager engineer, living at 21 Springfield Road, Springfield (since renumbered). Peter had a younger brother born in 1922.

Peter's father died in hospital in London in 1932. At the time their home was in Norwich.

During the Second World War Peter served as Bombardier 899686 in the Royal Artillery. He survived over a thousand air raids serving with an anti-aircraft battery on Malta. In the summer of 1943 he was recommended for a commission so was sent to an O.C.T.U. in the Middle East where he passed his course.

Peter Charles SAFE, Bombardier, Royal Artillery

Killed in a road traffic accident in Palestine. Aged 22

On 30th August 1943 he was killed in a road traffic accident in Jerusalem as he was returning from church. He was aged 22. At the time his mother was living at 125 Mildmay Road in Chelmsford.

Today Peter lies in grave 3. G. 9 at Ramleh War Cemetery in what is now Israel. He was commemorated on the war memorial at Baddow Road Congregational Church in Chelmsford (now demolished).

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