William Pearson was born at Wardley, near Gateshead, County Durham, in June 1886, one of 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters. His father Joseph Stewart Pearson native of Moseley, County Durham was born in 1851 and married in the district of Sunderland during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1876 to Susan Wilson born 1857 at Monkwearmouth, County Durham. By 1881 they were living at Smokey Row, Heworth with two children Sarah Jane (4) born at Wardley and Thomas William (1) born at Hebburn, James was employed at the colliery as a coal miner, they later moved to Waggonway Street. William’s mother Susan Pearson nee Wilson died in December 1893 aged 37 years, the following year also his eldest sister Sarah Jane aged only 17 years. James Stewart Pearson remarried in 1894 to widow Mary Ann Marr who originated from Southwark, London, born 1860 and who had a 9 year old son of her own named Benjamin. Mary Ann gave birth to a daughter in 1895 who was baptised Sarah Jane, possibly in remembrance of the daughter James had lost. In 1901 the family was living at 67, Third Street, Heworth, James Stewart worked as a hewer, step son Benjamin (16), sons Robert (17) and William (14), all worked as drivers at the colliery. By 1911 only James (17) the youngest son from his first marriage and Sarah Jane (15) were still living at home.

William Pearson married at St. Mary’s Church, Heworth, July 6th 1907, a local girl, Margaret Annie Boyd born October 20th 1889. Their daughter Susan was born February 5th 1910 followed by Edith, January 1st 1911, Edith died a few months later. In 1911 they were living at 5, Coxon Street, Bill Quay, William was employed as a hewer.

On the outbreak of war aged 28 years 5 months, living at 5 Chapel Street, Felling, William left his employment as a miner and volunteered to enlist in the Army for the duration of the war. He was assessed at Felling November 12th 1914 and assigned as Private 21972 Durham Light Infantry. He joined the regiment at their barracks at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was attached to the 17th (Reserve) Battalion, 89th Brigade, 30th Division, December 6th 1914. After initial training he was posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion at South Shields as part of the Tyne Garrison, July 20th 1915. Less than one month later he was transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers 1st Garrison Battalion as Private 24529, August 17th 1915 he departed with his regiment bound for Malta where the regiment was intended to stay for the duration of the war. Due to ill health, June 19th 1916 Private Pearson was invalided back to England aboard Hospital Ship Oxfordshire arriving in England June 26th. Posted to the battalion depot from there he was discharged September 26th 1916 under King’s Regulations 392(xvI), “no longer physically fit for service” and he returned to his civilian occupation. Awards; British War Medal and Victory Medal.

William Pearson died at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, February 10th 1919. Although he is not included by the CWGC as a casualty of war either because he did not qualify as having died as a consequence of war or his family did not inform the commission, he is remembered on a marble plaque within Heworth St. Mary’s Church in recognition of having served his country. He was 33 years old.

His widow Margaret Annie remarried at Gateshead in 1930 John A. Tingle, with whom she had a daughter Jessie born at Lanchester in 1933. Margaret Annie Tingle-Pearson nee Boyd died aged 80 years, in 1969, registered in the district of Durham.

William’s father died aged 67 years during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1918, within months also his stepmother Mary Ann Pearson nee Marr aged 57 years during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep)1918.

James Stewart Pearson Jnr, known as James, also served as Private 22335 Durham Light Infantry and after going missing on the battlefield a year later was declared to have presumed to have died September 25th 1915 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France and also along with his brother, on the same marble plaque within St. Mary’s Heworth, County Durham. He was aged 21 years and single.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest in Peace.

William Pearson is remembered at Heworth on H92.03