William Peel was the third son of Sir Robert Peel, a Prime Minister of Great Britain, and was born on 2nd November 1824 at Stanhope Gate in London's Mayfair district. He was schooled at Hatfield and Harrow, completing his education in early 1838. Peel entered the Royal Navy on 7th April 1838, and joined the Princess Charlotte as a Midshipman. He was promoted to Lieutenant in May 1844, after service on a number of ships in the Mediterranean. He became a Commander in 1847, whilst on the North American and West Indian stations, where he took command of HMS Daring  At 24, on 10th January 1849, a year before the death of his famous father, he was promoted to  the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy. However, with a further command of his own not an early prospect, Peel took leave of absence and decided to embark on a tour of Africa, the Holy Land and Egypt.. 

In preparation for the trip, Peel undertook a study of Arabic, with Joseph Chuni - who later agreed to be his companion on the journey. They travelled out first to the Middle East, between October 1850 and February 1851. 

Later in 1851, both returned to begin a tour of Central Africa, following the Nile, and across the desert to Khartoum. Peel and his companion suffered badly from an attack of "fever and ague". On his return to England in January 1852, Peel published an account of his travels, " A Ride through the Nubian Desert".

In October 1852, Peel took command of the newly commissioned frigate, HMS Diamond and joined the fleet in the Mediterranean, transferring later to the Black Sea, where he would see action in the Crimea. It was during this period that , as part of the Naval Brigade, Peel and his crew from the Diamond, were involved in their heroic actions, which led to the award of the Victoria Cross to both Peel and his ADC..

Detail from a portrait of Peel in naval uniform. Courtesy of the Peel Society

On October 18th 1854, Peel was at the siege of Sebastopol, and carried out the first of his acts of bravery which would lead to the awarding of the Victoria Cross. He and a party of his men had been tasked with the movement of ammunition for the Allied gun batteries, and were going about their duties when a Russian 42-pounder shell landed in amongst some powder kegs. With the fuse still burning, the shell was likely to explode at any second, and Peel quickly picked it up and threw it over the nearest parapet, where almost immediately the shell exploded relatively harmlessly.

On 5th November 1854, Peel was with a party of Grenadier Guards at the Battle of Inkerman, and was able to identify that the group protecting the colours were being cut off by the Russians during a period of sustained pressure, and was able to advise on a successful retreat from the danger. Finally, on 18th June 1855, he led the first scaling party at the assault on the Redan, sustaining severe wounds during the action. Peel's ADC's were Edward St John Daniel, and Henry Evelyn Wood. Daniel was also awarded a VC for courageous action in the same campaigns as Peel. Wood was recommended, but not awarded - he later left the navy, joined the army, and rose eventually to the rank of Field Marshal. Wood was awarded his VC in action with the army in the Indian Mutiny in 1858.

Picture Courtesy Michael Daniels   

The railway was completed in June 1857, and officially opened by Lady Peel. The first train consisted of a locomotive, named "Shannon" (after Capt Peel's frigate), hauling two passenger carriages, a goods wagon and a brake van.   The locomotive was built by George England, at a cost of £800.

A second locomotive "Little England", was added later.

Picture Copyright FG Cockman & BHRS 1974