[4] His mother, Hannah Gough originally from Shropshire, was unable to look after him so allowed him to join another circus troupe as a bareback horse rider.
He was abandoned by the circus at age 11, having broken his arm, and found himself in Fegan's orphanage in Southwark, and then Little Wanderers' Home in Greenwich, where he captained many of their sports teams.
Greenwich Admirals Rugby League Club now celebrate Peters' life with an annual challenge game.
He was the star player in the Devon side which won the County Championship in 1906, resulting in the press calling for his selection for the national team.
Returning to his native northwestern England, Peters played for Barrow in 1913, and then transferred to St. Helens in 1914 until his retirement from rugby.