Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Pearson a blacksmith, born 1844 in Colsterworth, Lincolnshire and his wife Elizabeth Ann Pearson (nee Daubney, married on the 2nd February 1869 in Colsterworth, Lincolnshire), born 1846 in Oasby, Lincolnshire. John William was born in the 2nd quarter of 1881 in Redmile, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Carters Row, East Side Street, Redmile. In March 1901 John was absent from the family home at Pearson Yard, Main Street North Side, Redmile, residing there was his father and mother, John was employed as a domestic footman and was residing as a servant at Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, Leicestershire. In April 1911 John was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Redmile together with his father, a blacksmith and his mother.
John attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 31st August 1914 in Grantham. He gave his place of birth as Redmile, near Grantham, Leicestershire, his age as 35 years and 115 days and his trade or calling as labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Thomas Pearson and his mother Elizabeth Pearson of Redmile, Grantham as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 11 inches in height, weighed 149 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 36½ inches. His complexion was described as fair, his hair colour was light brown and he had hazel eyes. His vision was recorded as 6/6 and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 31st August 1914 in Grantham. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Lincolnshire Regiment at Grantham as a Private, service number 10876 on the 31/8/14. Posted to the Depot on the 2/9/14. Posted to the 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment on the 15/9/14. Embarked from Liverpool to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on the 1/7/15. Died of shrapnel wounds to the head and abdomen on board HMHS Massilia on the 3/12/15. Buried at sea on the 3/12/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 31/8/14 – 30/6/15, 304 days. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 1/7/15 – 3/12/15, 156 days. Total service 1 year 95 days. John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by John’s father Thomas Pearson on the 14th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by G. H. Ratcliffe, Major (late QM 5/Leics.), Redmile, Notts. on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Thomas Pearson of Redmile, Notts. Mother of soldier, Eliz. Ann Pearson of Redmile, Notts. Full blood brother of soldier, Thomas Pearson, age 50 of 9, St. Helen’s Road, Dorchester. Full blood sister of soldier, Mary Jane Hammond, age 48 of Collingham, Newark. John’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Friday December 24th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – REDMILE SOLDIER KILLED. Many of our readers in the Vale of Belvoir will regret to hear that Pte. J. W. Pearson, of Redmile, has been killed in action. Shortly after hostilities commenced, Pte. Pearson enlisted in the 6th Lincoln Regiment, and, after a course of training at Belton Park, proceeded to the Dardanelles. The official intimation received by his parents states that their son was killed on board a vessel on Dec. 3rd, the wounds being in the head and abdomen. Pte. Pearson was one of the most popular members of the Cricket Club. He was employed in the Ironstone Quarries at Woolsthorpe. Much sympathy will be felt for the bereaved parents.