Trivia

While being held as a POW during the war, Peter played a part in the escape later filmed as Le cheval de bois (1950). After the war while pursuing his acting career, he auditioned for a part in the film without disclosing his part in the actual incident. He failed the audition as the producers felt he did not look heroic or dashing enough for the film.

He was shot down in 1941 over The Netherlands and interned in Stalag Luft 3 where he took part in plays and revues to help in covering up the noise of the other prisoners digging tunnels, which he also had a hand in.

The inscription on his gravestone, shared with wife Janet Brown, reads "Life is real and death is the illusion".

During war service he was shot in the leg and was mentioned in despatches.

While appearing in panto at Coventry he didn't turn up for a performance and when someone went to look for him he was found dead in bed.

Fellow prisoners in Stalag Luft 3 POW camp were Donald Pleasence and Rupert Davies.

He loved drawing.

While courting Janet Brown she proposed to him.

After the war a few words from Jack Hylton, while he was in a Red Cross show, inspired him to act in repertory and variety. Later he worked on the radio, on various shows including The Goon Show and Trial Gallop (1952).

He was a big jazz fan.

Father-in-law of Janet Dibley.

Father of Tyler Butterworth.

Had a daughter.