OLD AZURIANS
ASSOCIATION
JOHN ROBERT PERYER
Subject: Mathematics
Early life
John Robert Peryer was born in Camberwell on 3 September 1898. His father , George J Peryer was a cigar-maker. There is some speculation that the family had been immigrants, but if this is so it must have been some time previously because his grandfather John Peryer had been born in Surrey in about 1822.
John proved to be an intelligent child and was awarded a scholarship to Alleyn’s School in 1910. Here he quickly became one of the school’s leading scholars, being awarded prizes for Physics and French, and demonstrating a particular talent for languages. He matriculated for the University of London with distinction in 1916, aged 17, but decided to delay his further education and signed up for service in the army.
In very brief summary, after initial training his potential as an officer was recognised, he underwent Officer Cadet training and in 1917 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1st Surrey Rifles, aged just 19. After being posted to France he was transferred to the Royal Fusiliers because that Regiment had suffered heavy losses. John served as a platoon commander in Belgium. His skill with languages was put to use when he was appointed as a liaison officer between the British and French Commands.
In April 1918 John suffered a severe attack of trench fever and was sent back to England to recover. By June he was back with the 1st Surrey Rifles and took part in the allied advance that followed the unsuccessful German Spring Offensive. He was finally discharged from the army in 1919, having been, during the course of his service, mentioned in despatches, recommended for the Military Cross, and awarded the Croix de Guerre (Gazetted 10 October 1918) a decoration only given to military personnel. In order to be awarded this decoration an individual must distinguish themselves by showing acts of heroism while they are involved in combat with enemy forces.
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He resumed his studies at London University and in 1923 gained a BSc (Honours) degree in Mathematics, together with a teaching diploma.
A fuller account of John’s schooling and military service can be viewed by clicking here.
Teaching Career
His first teaching post was at Lymm Grammar School in Cheshire. He joined WHSB in 1927 as a Mathematics Master. During his time at the school very little came to light about the earlier life of this quiet, unassuming man. It was known, of course that he had served in WW1 and that his health had been affected (it was popularly thought to have been the effect of exposure to poison gas). There was no hint of the existence of any awards for bravery. He was simply a respected man who taught Mathematics and ran the School Chess Club. He retired in 1961 after 34 years of service dedicated to the school.
Extra Mural Life
He married Harriet Raxworthy in Camberwell in 1923 before they moved to Cheshire. In Worthing they lived at 24 Offington Gardens on the Offington Park Estate which was Worthing’s Council’s contribution to the Garden City movement. Whether or not his family had been refugees at some point, he was an ardent campaigner for those who had suffered persecution, and he became one of the leaders of the anti-fascist movement in Worthing. The main aim of the International Friendship League (IFL), founded in 1931, was to encourage young people from different European countries to meet one another and develop a mutual understanding of each other’s way of life. John and his wife Hatty joined forces with Marion Barber, the wife of Charles Barber (Worthing’s first Labour Councillor, later elected Mayor in 1936) to found the Worthing branch of the IFL.
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Mr Peryer suggested that Worthing should host a regular camp for young Europeans. In 1931 the Town Council agreed to make Beach House available for this purpose, hoping to demonstrate that Worthing, more than any other British town, recognised the importance of personal contact between the youth of the world. The house was kitted out after a successful public appeal by Mr Peryer and the first camp took place in 1933. Hitler refused permission for German youth to take part, but two German youngsters who were already living in England, did attend along with French, Belgian, and Dutch participants.
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John Robert Peryer died in Croydon in 1989, aged 90.
Footnote
In the 1980s Peter Baker made oral history recordings with 32 veterans of WW1 and John Robert Peryer (known as Robert) was one of them. These interviews form the basis of a new project by West Sussex County Council Library Service called 'Military Voices Past and Present'.
From 2017 new web pages from West Sussex County Council Library Service will present audio clips from these interviews while a book of the interviews will be available through all West Sussex Libraries. Robert Peryer's full interview can be listened to in person at West Sussex Record Office and also Worthing Library.