Charles Henry Pearce

Charles junior enlisted early after war was declared in Worksop and was involved with the fighting in the Balkans and was transferred to France with the Sherwood Foresters by 31 Dec 1915. Charles survived the war for the next 3 years until he was wounded, which proved fatal and he died on Jan 9th 1918 and was commemorated on the Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. Charles was not the only member of the Pearce family involved in the war. As his father was a reservist, he was called up and also took the oath on the 9th Sept 1914. Charles senior survived the war and was demobbed 3rd Feb 1919 Corpl. Charles Henry Pearce Worksop Guardian 8 February 1918 In a recent issue we recorded that Corpl. Charles Henry Pearce, Sherwood Forester’s son of Sergt. And Mrs. Pearce, 72, Low Town Street, Worksop, had been wounded, and this week we have to announce his death, which occurred in hospital in France on January 29th. Corpl. Pearce, who was 21 years of age enlisted at the beginning of the war, and had seen considerable service,. He took part in the Dardanelles expedition, and this was the second time he had been sent to France. He had been out there for four months when he received the wound which proved fatal. Previously to enlisting he worked at Manton Colliery, and was a well conducted and respectable lad. He was a good son and his loss is a severe blow to his parents, who have the sympathy of the townspeople. Corpl. Pearce’s father is a Recruiting Sergeant at Derby and a younger brother is in the Seaforth Highlanders. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have received several letters of sympathy from the Regiment, and the Rev. F.G. Walmsley, C.F. writes that he buried him late on January 29th in Mendingham Military Cemetery. “He has died a hero’s death”, he says, with our sympathy in the loss of your son. The Chaplain who visited Corpl. Pearce, earlier on has since died. The Sister in charge, in a very sympathetic letter, states that, Corpl Pearce had been more or less unconscious for several days prior to his death. “I know how terribly sad these partings with our dear one’s are, and I ask you to accept my deepest sympathy in your sad loss and trouble”. The Chaplain also forwards a memorial; card which bears a touching and consoling message:- “They are not dead who fall in Battle, giving their lives for honour, smiling at Death dart; They are not dead whose memory still is living, within a Nations heart”.

CWG additional information:- Son of Charles and Catherine M. Pearce, of 72, Lowtown St., Worksop, Notts. Buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. Research by Colin Dannatt