John Pearson

Story:
John Pearson was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, on 16th January 1898 and baptised there at St. James Church on 10th February 1898, the son of Joseph Wild Pearson and Annie Pearson (née Barker).  Shortly after his baptism the family moved to Shaftesbury, Dorset, where his father carried on business as a Bookseller, Printer and Stationer at 11 High Street, Shaftesbury.  (John's mother had died in 1904 and his father re-married a Sarah Hitchens in Halifax in 1905.)   He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School.  John was working for the Post Office when he enlisted on 2nd March 1916 and mobilized on 23rd October 1916 joining the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. 127658).  Because of his expertise he trained as a Wireless Operator and served in France from 23 Feb 1917.  Whilst serving there with the East Divisional Signals Company he was gassed on 16th September 1917. He was demobilized on 14th October 1919 and gave his address as 11 High Street, Shaftesbury, where he was also recorded in the 1921 Census working as a Post Office Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist.  He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. By 1927 John had moved back to Halifax where he married Doris Greenwood during 1927.  They appear to have had only one child.  By the 1939 Register John was living at 99 Norfolk Mount, Chapel Allerton, Halifax, West Yorkshire, working as a Post Office Sorting Clerk plus being a volunteer Fireman with the Auxiliary Fire Service. John's brother Ralph (b.1891) also served in the conflict, with the East Yorkshire Regiment and the King's African Rifles. John died in the Leeds Registry District in 1966.