Arthur Pearce

Arthur was born in 1888, the son of Jarvis Pearce and Sophia Ann Pearce nee Summers. His parents were married in Nottingham in 1885 (O/N/D) and on the 1911 Census they provided the information that they had been married for 26 years and had had seven children of whom only five were still living at the time of the census. Five children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911: Jarvis (b. 1886 A/M/J), Arthur (b. 1888), Charles Henry (b. 28 September 1890), Henry aka Harry (b. 1895) and Clara (b. 1900). All the children were born in Nottingham. In 1891 Jarvis (26) a paste board maker, and Sophia (25) were living at 4 Norton Street, Nottingham, with their three children, Jarvis (5), Arthur (3) and Charles (7 months). The family was still at the same address at the time of the next census in 1901 although by now Jarvis was working as an engine driver (stationary) and his wife was working from home as a lace clipper. They had five children who were all still at home; Jarvis (14) a labourer, Arthur (13), Charles (10), Henry (5) and Clara (1). Their eldest son, Jarvis, married Ethel May Wood in 1907 and in 1911 he and his wife were living at 14 Bingham Court, White Cow Yard, Hollow Stone, with their two sons, Thomas Arthur (3) and Harry (under 1 month). Jarvis was employed 'tying up' for a lace bleacher and Ethel was a cigar maker. In 1911 Jarvis and Sophia were living at 20 St Johns Church Yard, Red Lion Street, Nottingham, with their other children, Arthur (23) a van man, Charles (20) a sorter-out for a lace bleacher, Henry (15) straw board coverer for a straw board manufacturer, and Clara (11) who was still at school. Later that same year Charles married Florence Lily Freeman on 5 June at St John's church. Leenside. The witnesses were Arthur Pearce (brother) and Ethel May Pearce (sister-in-law). They lived first at 41 Regent Hill, Carlton Road, and at some point after Charles had enlisted at 41 Beigant Hill, Windmill Lane. They had three children, Charles Jarvis (b. 8 June 1913), John (b. September 1914) and Clara Sophia (b. 29 December 1916, d. 1918 aged 1 year). All three of Arthur's brothers served in the war: Jarvis was a sergeant (S3341) in the Rifle Brigade and served in France from 22 July 1915. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Charles attested on 29 October 1914 and joined the Rifle Brigade (6659). He served for 3 years 38 days: Home 29 October 1914-20 July 1915 (265 days), BEF France 21 July 1915-12 February 1917 (1 yr 207 days), Home 13 February 1917-5 December 1917 (296 days). His army record suggests that he was invalided home after suffering a gun shot wound to his left knee and it appears that a Medical Board found him unfit for further service and he was transferred to the Labour Corps. He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal; the medals were sent to him at an address in Yorkshire - 29 Somerseales Street, Beverley Road, Hull. Henry appears to have served in the 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters; he attested on 10 December 1915 and was transferred to the Army Reserve the following day. The army record is damaged, but it appears that Henry had been mobilized by July 1916. By the time Henry attested in 1915 the family was living at 21 Lomas Yard, Bellar Gate, Nottingham, and this was still the family home when the CWGC (IWGC) obtained the information about Arthur's next of kin for their records. Arthur's father, Jarvis, died in 1931 (Nottingham registration district) aged 66 and his mother, Sophia, in 1940 (Nottingham registration district) aged 75. Charles died in 1973 (Hull registration district) aged 82.

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