The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

DerekR

William Pearson, Durham Light Infantry

Was killed prior to 31/12/1915 as his name appears on a Hawick Roll of Honour of that time where he is described as:

“Eldest son of the late Robert Pearson and grandson of the late Mr & Mrs Joseph Pearson, Hawick, age 20”.

His name appears on the Hawick Roll of Honour for the Great War but I cannot find him listed on any other source.

Can anyone find him?
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Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

One possibility to consider:

Name: PEARSON, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry
Unit Text: 1st/9th Bn.
Date of Death: 09/08/1915
Service No: 1758
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 8 and 9.
Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL

ADP

DerekR · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks ADP,

According to SDGW he was born Shelbroke, Doncaster and enlisted in Ryton-On-Tyne.

And there is an excellent website concerning the RYTON War Memorial:

http://www.rytonwarmemorials.org.uk/index.php
And the info it provides is first class:

Family Details:
Son of Robina Clark, 148 Maughan Street, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland (formerly of Tweedy.s Buildings, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham). One brother; Joseph Harrison. It is understood that William was born in 1895 at Skelbrook, Yorkshire, with the name of William Robert Pearson. The father died in 1898. In the following years, pre-1905, his widowed mother was remarried to an Edward Clark, of Tees Street, Horden, late of Ryton on Tyne, Alnwick, and Gateshead.
Notes : On enlistment in the colours in July 1914 William used the surname Clark. His brother Joseph Harrison also served with the forces during the war.
Sources Used: Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register. Soldiers Died in the Great War. Emma Colliery Personnel Records at Durham County Records Office and Tyne and Wear Archives Service. Information from family members.

Hopefully I can use the inf0 to tie him to Hawick - or not. His age certainly fits and there does to be a naming pattern.
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 5:50 pm Post subject:

Robert Pearson married Rosina Wyatt in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1893.
They had two sons, both born in Hemsworth, Yorkshire - William Robert b. 1895 and Joseph Harrison 1898. Robert Pearson died in Gateshead, Durham, aged 28.
In the 1901 census Rosina and the boys are living in Gateshead, Rosina then described as a widower. William & Joseph are stated as having been born in Skelbrook, Yorkshire. (They don't show as this in the civil indexes and Skelbrook is quite close to Hemsworth).
Robert was born in Hawick in 1868 - son of Joseph and Rachel Pearson.
It all certainly seems to tie in.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 6:50 pm Post subject:

Mark,

WELL DONE Cutty Sark!!

Much appreciated! Laughing

_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 12:46 am Post subject:

Also listed on the Emma Colliery Memorial as William Clark.

DerekR · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:23 pm Post subject:

And also listed by the CWGC twice under both his surnames:

Name: PEARSON, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry
Unit Text: 1st/9th Bn.
Date of Death: 09/08/1915
Service No: 1758
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 8 and 9.
Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL

Name: CLARK, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry
Unit Text: 1st/9th Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 09/08/1915
Service No: G/1758
Additional information: Son of Mrs. Rosina Clark, of 148, Maughan St., Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Native of Ryton-on-Tyne.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: D. 3.
Cemetery: FERME BUTERNE MILITARY CEMETERY, HOUPLINES
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:51 pm Post subject:

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Derek & Mark

Thanks for highlighting this.
If it is the same man, it may be he was on PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL but his grave later found.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

This can happen but it could only be changed by the usual official records as evidence. As you suggest his surname did change.
You would need to prove that both are the same man and that one surname is the correct one.

I notice one MIC for Wm Clark with number 1758

E-mail me direct if you have any documents.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk