Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry and Harriet Pearce. He died of pneumonia.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Percy Bertram Pearce was born 1898 at Copt Oak Markfield, Leicestershire. His Christian name was Percival.
He was the son of Henry Pearce born 1861 in Grendon, Buckinghamshire, a Farm Labourer (died 1st June 1952 in Copt Oak), and Harriet Pearce nee Dorsett (born 1862 in Chitton, Buckinghamshire), of Copt Oak Terrace, Markfield, Leicestershire.
Percy’s siblings were all born in Copt Oak. He had four brothers Frederick 1893, Wilfred 1894, Ernest William 1897, twins Horace Aubrey 1904 -1974, Aubrey Henry 1904-1984, as well as a half brother Charles Norris 1884; and he had two sister Elsie born 1890 in Copt Oak (married name Pratt in 1919 living 16 Bardon Road, Coalville, Leics) twins Martha Fanny (1902-1902) and Gertrude Mary1902 .He also had a half sister Nellie Elizabeth 1903 (married name Henson in 1919, Hatton, Loughborough).
Percy was single and lived with his parents before the war; he was a Quarry man.

Percy enlisted at the age of 18 years and 53 days; he joined at Coalville on the 19th March 1917 and was posted the same day with the Royal Engineers.
He was 5 feet 1 ¼ inches.
He embarked on the 1st June 1917

From the hospital field Percy was re-embarked from France to England, taken to hospital 5 North General Hospital, Leicester where he died.
He died of Influenza-broncho-pneumonia.
“He was 10 days in hospital. He has had pains all over, complained mostly of pains of chest, had a permanent cough, was breathless, difficulty breathing, gradually got worse and sadly died”
Percival Bertram Pearce was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Percy Bertram Pearce died as a result of his time in Service during the war.

He was buried the 6th March 1919, in Copt Oak Cemetery, Markfield, Leicestershire

Percy is remembered on the Memorial St Peter’s Church, Copt Oak, Leicestershire

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Submitted by F. Tilley 2016


Coalville Times article - Friday March 14th, 1919

COPT OAK

SOLDIER’S DEATH

Private J. Pearce, Labour Company, developed a cold while at home on leave, and was taken to hospital, where he died within a week. He was buried by the Vicar in Copt Oak Churchyard.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 30th, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT COPT OAK CHURCH

WINDOW DECORATED BY THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH

A large congregation was present at Copt Oak Church on Sunday morning to witness the dedication by the Bishop of Peterborough of a beautiful stained-glass window which has been placed in the church in memory of local men who gave their lives in the great war.

The window has three lights, the centre light being occupied by a warrior kneeling at the foot of Christ, with the inscription, “Faithful unto death, 1914 – 1918.” The following are the fallen who are commemorated:

E. Bowley, J. W. Brooks, J. H. Gibbins, H. Heggs, H. A. V. Hull, H. Hall, R. Irons, T. J. Kelham, A. H. Mason, G. H. Partner, P. B. Pearce, S. W. Richardson, H. Read, P. Tyers, S. A. Whyles and W. Wibberley.

Immediately preceding the service, a muffled peal was rung on the bells. The Rev. H. C. Gannell (vicar) took the first part of the service, which was fully choral, and the Rev. J. Martin, of Charley Hall, read the lessons. The special music rendered by the choir included the Te Deum (Hopkins) and the anthem, “Rejoice in the Lord” (Elvey). Mrs Gannell officiated at the organ, and at the close played the Dead March in “Saul.”

The Bishop, in his address from St. John, xx, 29, emphasised the power of the Resurrection, dealing with the introduction of Christianity into Britain, the progress made in Uganda, India and China. Instead of thinking of God as a kind of arch-magistrate seated on a distant star, we must think of one who is full of sympathy even for those whom many consider as beyond the pale. His Lordship continued, “We remember those gallant men who gave their lives in the war. They have cleared the way for a new Britain, a better Europe and a new world. Our task is to carry on, not to beat the Germans, but to form a truer fellowship, a lasting peace and goodwill. We must never falter until the great League of Nations is rooted and grounded in brotherly love, and a new comradeship is established, not every one grabbing for self, but each man loving his neighbour as himself.”

The congregation included many of the relatives of the deceased men. The collections at the services, including the Choral Communion Service at 8 am, at which the Bishop of Peterborough was the celebrant, were for the Window Fund. The service at 6.30 pm was taken by the Rev. T. W. Walters, Whitwick, Rural Dean.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 21/9/2018