Peter King

Peter Frank King (30 October 1916 – 12 December 1962) was a British Commando in World War II, who was commissioned in the field and awarded the Military Cross.

Early life Peter King was born in Caxton, Cambridgeshire; his parents were William Edgar King, a master builder, and his wife, Hilda May Pleasants. He was educated at Truro School.

World War II service King joined the Dental Corps in March 1939 and served as a non-technician, excelling as a weapons instructor. He spent two years in this role, rapidly becoming a drill sergeant at the Dental Corps' depot, but then applied to transfer to a fighting unit. This was refused. King was so frustrated that he and another soldier, Pte Leslie Cuthbertson, then 20 and from Newcastle-upon-Tyne took matters in their own hands; they planned and executed an unofficial and unauthorised raid on occupied France.

In April 1942, the two men stole weapons and grenades and also a motor-boat from the south west of England. They landed in France, where they attempted to cut a railway line using a hand grenade, among other activities. After three days, King and Cuthbertson stole a French motor boat to return to England. This failed and they were adrift in the Channel for twelve days until picked up by an Air Sea Rescue Service launch. They were initially treated as spies.

Cuthbertson's and King's exploits were told in a book, The Amateur Commandos, and a film, Two Men Went to War, was based on them.

Peter King drowned on 12 December 1962. He was travelling to a meeting in Hokitika when his car, out of control, went into Lake Wahapo, South Westland. He is buried at Whataroa, South Westland.