PEARSON, James

James Pearson lived in Stourbridge and volunteered in 1914 for the Worcesters. He was sent to the 3rd Battalion who moved in April 1916, after a year in Flanders, to Vimy Ridge, recently vacated by the French. The British line was half way up the slope which was already honey-combed with tunnels. Each trench seemed to lead to a crater, and the two front lines, which were quite close, weaved between them. The battalion entered the front line trenches for the first time on 26 April and immediately a small party occupied a post on the lip of Broadmarsh crater. Two days later the Germans responded by blowing one of their biggest mines under the left flank of the Worcesters' line. At the same time they attacked in force and overwhelmed the party on the crater. There was much dogged resistance but the number of fourteen men missing believed killed probably represented those at the edge of the crater. Private James Pearson was killed on the 29th April and is commemorated on the Arras, Stourbridge, St. John's church and St. Thomas's church Memorials.