Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Another query about a soldier of the King's Liverpool Regiment in the Great War.

Albert Pearson, born about 1898, was the son of William and Mary Agnes Pearson. His birth was registered in Q1, 1898. The 1901 Census shows them living at 26, Barnet Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool along with younger sister, Maggie (aged 1). This was the home of one of his parents' cousins, Patrick Fitzsimmons.

Albert joined the 9th Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment on 10th November, 1914 just three months after the outbreak of the Great War. He was only sixteen and a half years old, so presumably lied about his age in order to be accepted. He trained with the Battalion at Tunbridge Wells until, on 12th March, 1915 they were deployed to France to join the British Expeditionary Force.

From the last week in March, the men of the 9th King's were introduced to trench life, spending time attached to experienced regiments. On 24th April, whilst attached to the Northamptonshire Regiment, a shell exploded in the trench, killing Albert Pearson and another Liverpool man, John Henry Lunt. Albert died aged 17 and is buried at Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais.

Service records have survived for both Albert Pearson and John Henry Lunt and I have found them on the 1901 Census.

I wonder if anyone knows of any other references to either man? As they were amongst the first fatalities amongst the 9th King's I am hoping to fin a newspaper article and/or photograph of them.

I would be very grateful if anyone can add anything further.

Thanks,

Ken

There is a article for a Private Albert Edward Pearson published in the Liverpool Echo on 6th May 1915.

Correction There is also a article for Private J.H.Lunt Liverpool Echo 4th May 1915

John Henry Lunt aged 21
died 24th/04/1915
service number 1729
1st /9th The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
Grave reference XX1X B 34
Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery , Souchez

parents
John and Elizabeth Lunt
13 Claude Road
Anfield
Liverpool

A E Pearson...I CANNOT find a burial at Cabaret - Rouge...
the only Albert Edward Pearson I can find Kings Regiment was
2406
Kings
died 24/08/1915
grave reference
I D 73
Choques Military Cemetery

Husband of Emily
25 Hope St
Southport
age unknown
allan

Here he is, with initial A only:


Name: PEARSON
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Unit Text: 1st/9th Bn.
Age: 17
Date of Death: 24/04/1915
Service No: 2923
Additional information: Son of William and Mary Agnes Pearson, of 13, Myers St., Edge Hill, Liverpool.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: XXIX. B. 33.
Cemetery: CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ


D

Thank you to all who have replied. Albert's story is coming together nicely. I intend to visit the library and get hold of copies of the newspaper articles and see what additional information they add.

I will also be visiting their graves on my next visit to the Western Front (they are buried side by side). I will then be able to add photographs of their final resting place.

When that is completed I will be adding their story to my website. As always I will acknowledge the assistance of this great forum when I do the write-up.

Thanks again,

Ken

Katie wrote:There is a article for a Private Albert Edward Pearson published in the Liverpool Echo on 6th May 1915.

Correction There is also a article for Private J.H.Lunt Liverpool Echo 4th May 1915

Thanks Kathy,

I went to the Record Office today and copied the two newspaper articles. The added bonus was that both included photographs.

Ken

I knew there would be photo's did you have a look for a obituary for them. I am currently indexing obits for 1916 for soldiers from the Liverpool area very moving some of them . I am only doing the Evening Express. The Echo is to hard. I indexed one month from the Echo August 1916 as a experiment to see how quick obituaries were published ie Captain and Lieutenants families were informed very quickly but in the case of Privates it could be up to 3 months.

I didn't look for the obituaries - I didn't think about it to be honest.

August 1916 was a terrible time for the Liverpool Territorials, including the 9th Battalion. It will take me forever, but I'd like to add all of the photos of the 9th Bn. men, from all of the Liverpool newspapers, to my records in due course. That will mean many hours of going cross-eyed in front of the film reader but it will add a great deal to my records.

It's so difficult not to get side-tracked once I start on the newspapers. I began with a list of what I wanted to find but only managed half of it.

If you have any for 1916 send me the names and I will look to see if there are any obituries

There were 230 men killed from the 9th Battalion in 1916.

Are you sure you want a list?