Peter McEwan Halley was born in Perth in 1892, the son of Thomas Halley and Christina McEwan. He had five siblings: Thomas, Christina, James, Elizabeth and Jane. In 1901, Peter was living with his elder brother Thomas (Architects Apprentice) as Head of Household and Helen S Wilkie as guardian, at “Marleshall”, Glasgow Road, Perth. At the time of his death, his next-of-kin was his sister Mrs C. Munro, 46, Inverleith Place, Edinburgh.

Sergeant Peter Halley served with the 6th Battalion Black Watch (266123) and the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders (238037). He enlisted as a Territorial, joining the Black Watch in Perth in July or August 1915. Following 6 months of basic training, he joined the 6th Battalion in early 1916 when they were based near Arras in northern France. Peter Halley was one of four sergeants transferred to the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders from the 6th Battalion Black Watch. This was after the 1st Battalion had lost a significant number of NCO’s in action.

The regimental history shows that following an action at the Maltz Horn Ravine on the Somme in August 1916 the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders lost 260 men and subsequently received a draft of 345 men, including a number of senior NCO’s.

Following a short tour of the Loos sector, the 1st Battalion returned to the Somme and fought at Serre on 13th November 1916, in waist deep mud, and with heavy losses.

1917 saw the 1st Gordons at Arras in April, May and June, taking part in the three Battles of the Scarpe - at Arleux, Monchy and Roeux. Peter was killed in an action to take Hill 100, known as Infantry Hill, near to the village of Monchy-le-Preux.

The Regimental history states that the losses on 17th June were mainly due to artillery fire and the bodies of the missing were never recovered. Peter was one of 20 men from the 1st Battalion who were killed that day. He was 20 years old.

Perthshire Constitutional, 1917

“Company-Sergeant-Major Peter M. Halley, youngest son of the late Mr Thomas Halley, Marleshall, Glasgow Road, Perth, killed in action when gallantly leading his men. Joining the 6th Black Watch early in 1915, he quickly became Sergeant, and for a considerable time acted as instructor at Ripon. On going to France he was promoted to be Sergeant-Major.”

Peter Halley is also commemorated on the Jeanfield District War Memorial, Perth.