Name
Frederick Herbert Pearce
1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15828
East Surrey Regiment
12th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 6 B and 6 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Frederick was born in 1880 in Hitchin and his parents were Benjamin and Louisa Pearce (née Barker) and they married in Hitchin in 1877.
In 1881 the family were living at Bunyan Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Benjamin (36) and Louisa (32 – however in most census she appears as older that Benjamin) Pearce, with Benjamin working as a printer compositor. Their children were: Sydney Marson (3). Florence (1) and Frederick Herbert at 6 months old.
By 1891 the family had moved to 67 Orchard Road, Brentford, Ealing, Middlesex. Present were both parents, with Benjamin still a printer compositor. All the children listed above were present and they had been joined by Louisa M (9) and Nellie A (2). Two lodgers were also present.
By 1901 the family had moved again and living at 16 High Street, Ealing, Middx. Present were both parents with their children Sydney, Florence, Louisa and Nellie. Frederick had left home has not been positively identified in the 1901 census.
Frederick married Lily Tait (b 4/2/84) on 13 January 1905 in a registry office in Croydon, Surrey. Their son Sydney Herbert was born in April 1905, then Frederick Cecil January 1907 and finally Harry William in October 1909. Then in 1911, Frederick and Lily and their three children were living at 18 Clarence Road, Sutton, Surrey . Frederick was working as a hairdresser. The census recorded they had been married for 7 years with 3 children, all living.
Frederick enlisted into 11th East Surrey Regiment on 10 November 1915 at that time he was living at 14 Manor Place, Sutton, Surrey and was 34 years old and working as a barber. He was described as 5’ 6 ¾” tall with a 35 ½” chest when fully expanded, 133 lbs. He joined his regiment in Kingston the following day.
While serving his wife received 19s 6d separation allowance and an allotment from Frederick’s pay of 3s 6d.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War database records that he was born in Hitchin, Herts., and was living in Sutton, Surrey when he enlisted in Kingston, Surrey.
Wartime Service
Frederick was transferred to the 12th East Surrey Regiment on 23 February 1916 and then posted to the B.E.F. and abroad on the 1 May 1916.
He was posted as missing on the 15 September 1916 – recorded on his service record on 13 October 1916, and then as killed in action - recorded officially it seems on 20 December 1916.
On the date he went missing the Battalion were split between Fricourt and Delville Wood.
War Diary on the 15th: At 2am: The BN. had taken up its position at S.11. d. 0. 8. The formation was lines of half platoons in file, “A” Coy. on the right, “D” Coy. on the left. The left platoons were concealed in shell holes. On the right were they R.W. Kents & on the left the NZ Brigade & in front the K.R.R.C. The BN. advanced at 6:15 am and took the enemy’s trenches 1st & 2nd line trenches although it suffered heavy casualties, losing nearly all the officers, it continued to advance to about 200 yards in front of FLERS & occupied enemy trenches there. Casualties: offs 16; O.R. 286.
Additional Information
There was a series of correspondence between the Army and Frederick’s widow Lily. The Army wrote requesting copies of Frederick Cecil’s birth certificate and her marriage certificate for pension purposes.
On the 22 February 1917 the Army chased forms that had been sent to Lily on the 11th. Sher replied on the 25th stating she had only received a pension form which she had returned with the certificates requested.
She wrote to the Army on 1 March 1917, asking “Dear Sir, was there any of my husband's effects, deferred pay, or any monies to come to me? Yours respectfully Lilly Pearce.”
After his death £0 10s 9d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Lily, on 28 May 1917, then £3 11s 11d on 7 June 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her on 15 September 1919.
His pension cards record Lily Pearce as his widow/ and dependant, living at 14 Manor Place, Sutton, Surrey. It also records their children as Sydney Herbert (b 1/4/1905) and Frederick Cecil (b 17/1/1907). She was awarded a grant on 4 May 1917, and then a pension of 22s 11d a week from 4 June 1917 for her and their children. This was raised to 33s 4d from 4/October 1918. Note their son Harry was not listed, so perhaps had died.
Lily completed a form naming Frederick’s living relatives, but the date is not readable, they included Lily and two children, Sydney and Frederick, parents xxx and Louisa Pearce at 63 Warwick Road, a brother Sydney and sisters Florrie, Louisa, Nellie -Louisa was listed as marries and now Mrs Banks, living at 3 Church Terrace, St Mary’s Road, Ealing W.5. Lily was still at 14 Manor Place, Sutton, Surrey.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
