Private G/74363 John William Pearson

 
Apologies for poor quality of photographs, they're the best available.

Killed in Action on Monday, 2nd September 1918, age 37.
Buried in Grave III. P. 15. at Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, Somme, France.

1st/24th Bn., County of London Battalion TF (The Queen's). 142nd Brigade of 47th Division.
Formerly 46401 South Lancashire Regiment.

Husband of Emily Warburton (formerly Pearson), of 10, Bissell St., Warrington, Lancashire.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Warrington, Resident: Warrington.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because recorded on the Census as born in Tipton.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/289049/

Genealogical Data

John William Pearson was born on 1st September 1881 at 26 Union Street, Tipton, his grandparent’s house. His grandparents. John and Kezia Roberts played a large part in his life as he was living with them at the time of the 1891 and 1901 Censuses. His father was Emanuel Pearson, a Glass Cutter, and his mother Emily Jane Pearson, née Roberts. Emanuel and Emily had married in September quarter 1881.

1891 Census
19 Clara Street, Warrington, Lancashire.
John Roberts (54, Forge Hand, born Tipton), his wife Kezia (53, born Wolverhampton), their grandson John W. Pearson (9, Scholar, born Tipton), and Robert Jones (Lodger, 29, Tube Maker, born Garth, Wales).

In 1891 John’s mother, Emily J. Pearson (33, Dressmaker, born Tipton), was living at 1 Albert Street, Dudley. Her marriage (June quarter 1881, Dudley) appears to have broken down as her husband, Emmanuel Roberts (29, Rivet maker, born Dudley) was boarding at 76 Salop Street, Dudley. In 1901, Emily (43, Seamstress, born Tipton), was living alone at 1 Greystone Passage, Dudley.

1901 Census
19 Clara Street, Warrington, Lancashire.
John Roberts (64, Fried Fish Shopkeeper, born Tipton), his wife Kesia (63, born Wolverhampton), John William Pearson (Boarder, 19, Soap Works Labourer, born Tipton), and Kesia Shaw (Visitor, 14, born Wigan).

Marriage of John William Pearson and Emily Fisher registered in December quarter 1904 in Warrington.

1911 Census
10 Bissell Street, Warrington, Lancashire.
John William Pearson (29, General Labourer – Soap Trade, born Tipton), his wife Emily (26, born Warrington), and their 2 children: May (5, born Warrington) and Albert (2, born Warrington).
Two further children were born: John W. in December quarter 1915, and Emily in June quarter 1918.

After seeming to live apart for a long time, John’s parents Emanuel and Emily were living together again at the time of the 1911 Census. Emanuel (49, Glass Cutter, born Dudley) and Emily (53, born Tipton) were living at 13 Clara Street, Warrington – just a few doors away from where her late parents had lived in 1901.

Personal Data

After John’s death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £0/19/7d (19 shillings and 7 pence); this was paid to his widow, Emily, in July 1919. His War Gratuity was £5/0/0d (5 pounds exactly), this was also paid to Emily in July 1919. According to the Widnes Examiner (see below), John had enlisted in April 1918.

John's widow, Emily, was awarded a Pension Grant of £9/0/0d (9 pounds exactly) on 28th March 1919. She was then awarded a Widow's Pension initially thought to be £2/13/0d (2 pounds and 13 shillings) per week for herself and her 4 children, effective from 30th April 1917. Emily's Widow's Pension was re-calculated under the ‘Alternative Pension’ rules and increased to £2/16/2d per week from 7th October 1920, this was £1/6/8d for Emily and £1/9/6d for the 4 children. Emily's pension would have ceased in 1921 when she re-married to be compensated by a lump-sum payment; the children’s pensions would continue until their 16th birthdays.

Action resulting in his death

The Widnes Examiner (5th October 1918) reports that John Pearson had enlisted in April 1918, and had first landed in France in August 1918. Another Tipton man, Thomas Green, joined the same battalion during August 1918; the Tipton Herald (12th October 1918) reported that he had sailed from England on 11th August and joined his battalion later that month. The 1/24th Queens’ War Diary for 27th August reports a draft of 240 Other Ranks joining, this is likely to have included both Pearson and Green.

On 29th August the 1/24th Queens returned to the line which was now just west of Maurepas. Thomas Green was killed on 29th August, the only man of the 1/24th killed that day. The advance was to continue eastwards, with 1/24th Queens commencing at 6 a.m. on 30th August. The day was relatively successful, but a newly-arrived German Division stalled further progress and the 1/24th Queens were relieved from the line. The 1/24th Queens had 15 men killed that day.

1/24th Queens received orders on 1st September to take up position for an attack on Sorrowitz, Hill and Link Trenches south and east of St. Pierre Vaast Wood (4 miles north of Peronne) on the next day, 2nd September. They arrived at their assembly positions at 4.30am ready for Zero Hour at 5.30am.

The attack was a success with many German prisoners and artillery pieces being captured. Eight men of the 1/24th Queens were killed in action on that day, including John Pearson. John’s remains were exhumed from his original burial position (about 1500 yards south of St. Pierre Vaast Wood at map reference 62c.C.10.d.2.3) and reburied in Perrone Communal Cemetery Extension, the exhumation document is undated but was probably in 1919.

General GODLEY, Commanding III Corps, sent the following congratulatory message: “Please convey to General MACDOUGALL and 142 Infantry Brigade and especially Major F.G. GILL and 24th LONDON my heartiest congratulations on their brilliant feat of arms this morning which resulted in the capture of 200 prisoners, two 5.9 guns and a battery of 77mm guns.”

For more detail, the following is an extract from the 1/24th Queens War Diary for 2nd September.
Attack on SORROWITZ, HILL and LINK Trenches, South of ST. PIERRE VAAST WOOD, in conjunction with 18th Division to North of Wood. ‘D’ Company on Right Front, ‘A’ Company on Left Front, ‘B’ Company in Support, ‘C’ Company in Reserve and Left Flank defensive. Objectives were not immediately gained.

‘A’ Company occupied HILL TRENCH after clearing LONELY COPSE. Battalion commenced consolidation of LINK and HILL TRENCHES at 8am. The enemy were driven out of the wedge of ST. PIERRE VAAST WOOD during the afternoon when many prisoners were taken, also 2 77mm guns. 4th Royal Welsh Fusiliers cleared ST. PIERRE VAAST WOOD and we finally got in touch with 18th Division and 22nd Battalion London Regiment.

‘C’ Company remained in position in JUPITER TRENCH, ‘B’ Company in defensive flank in HILL TRENCH, ‘A’ Company East end of HILL TRENCH, ‘D’ Company in SORROWITZ TRENCH.

Newspaper Cuttings

Widnes Examiner 5th October 1918
PRIVATE J.W. PEARSON.
Mrs Person, of 10 Bissell Street, has received the news that her husband, Private John William Pearson of the London Regiment, is missing.
Private Pearson, who is 39 years of age, enlisted in April this year, and was sent abroad in August. In civil life he was employed by Messrs. Joseph Crosfield and Sons. He was connected to Bank Quay Mission, at which school he was educated.

Widnes Examiner 4th September 1920
IN MEMORIAM.
PEARSON. In loving memory of my poor husband, John W. Pearson, presumed killed September 2nd September 1918.
A tender father, a husband dear,
The Lord did call away.
It was a great trouble to our minds
When the sad news came that day.
From his loving WIFE and CHILDREN, also MOTHER.
10 Bissell Street, Warrington.