Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Births Jun 1892 Pearson James Burrows Basford 7b 219

His father was Joseph Pearson, 86 Wicklow Street, Old Basford. In the 1911 census, he is shown as being 56 years a widower born in 1855 at Nottingham and a coal carter. He was living with his son James Burrows 18 years born 1892 in Nottingham; he is also a coal carter.

Private Pearson, 3rd Battalion Australian Imperial Force, enlisted on 8th January 1915 at Liverpool, New South Wales.Taken on strength of the battalion 31st May 1915. He was killed in action between 7th-12th August 1915.

He is remembered on the Nottingham (Old Basford) - St Leodegarius' Church (ROH) War Memorial

A Book of Remembrance/ROH was compiled of those who died in the war; the book gives first and last names, rank, regiment, date of death and place of death. A peal of eight bells was donated in memory of the men from the congregation and parish who died in the war and there is a brass plaque commemorating this gift: 'To the Glory of God and in honoured memory of Basford men who fell in the Great War, the peal of eight bells in this tower was dedicated, 4 June 1921 by the Rev H.T. Hayman MA, rector of Thornhill, Dewsbury, and formerly chaplain of the 7th (Robin Hood Battalion), the Sherwood Foresters.' A photograph and report of the dedication of the bells was published in the Nottingham Guardian on 6 June 1921: 'Old Basford's tribute to its fallen heroes. The  new peal of bells recently hung in the belfry of Old Basford church was, on Saturday, dedicated by the Rev H.T. Hayman. The peal serves as a memorial to the men of the parish who fell in the Great War, and the cost, about £1,500, has almost wholly been raised in the parish. The vicar, the Rev T.B. Lawson, is seen in the photograph with Messrs G.R. Godson (churchwarden), G. Hooton, and J. Sanderson (churchwarden).' A report of the dedication of the bells also appeared in the Nottingham Evening Post, Monday 6 June 1921: ‘Heroes remembered in Nottm. and District. If the primary purpose of a war memorial be to maintain, not only a permanent, but a constant reminder of the gallant dead, then the form adopted for Old Basford, that of a peal of bells in the parish church, cannot be improved upon. The ancient edifice, which bears the somewhat cumbrous name of Saint Leodegarius, was not entirely devoid of bells before, but the three which did duty were not a success. Now the district will be able to listen to a really melodious peal, worthy of the church in which the bells are hung, and of the purpose which has brought them there. So far as can be ascertained, about 220 Old Basford men fell in the war.

A permanent record of the Roll of Honour is contained in a vellum book, which will be kept in a glass case near the centre of the church.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). The bells were cast by Messrs John Taylor and Co, Bell Founders, Loughborough, at a cost of around £1500. The bells were paid for by public subscription and details of the donors were inscribed on the bells. Treble bell: given by Charles Hilton Seely and Frank Evelyn Seely 1921. Second bell: St Leodegarius Church Sunday Schools and Bible Classes bell. 'This bell is the offering of the Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, Scouts and Guides of the parish and their friends 1921.' Third bell: St Leodegarius Church Choir, 'presented by the adult members of the choir 1921.' Fourth bell: St Leodegarius Church Clergy, 'presented by the clergy, churchwardens and sidesmen of Basford parish church 1921.' Fifth bell: T Marriott, 'In loving memory of Thomas Marriott who died in 1917. Given by his children, 1921.' Sixth bell: W.H. Hill and A.R. Cox, 'In memory of William Henry Hill M.C.B.H. who died 17 March 1916 during the Great War and Arthur Robert Cox who served in the South African War 1899 - 1902 and who died 7 April 1916.' Tenor bell: Capt W.E.G. Walker and Lt H.C.S. Walker, 'In affectionate remembrance of Captain William Eaton Guy Walker and Lieut Harry Cullis Steele Walker of the Sherwood Foresters, sons of Major and Mrs Walker, Rock House, Old Basford, who fell in France in the Great War 1914 – 1918. For God, King and Country.' The Book of Remembrance is kept in a glass topped wooden desk in carved dark oak which has a small brass plaque on top, ‘Presented by Mrs C.H. Spencer, June 4th 1921’. As well as a list of members of the War Memorial Committee, the following details are included in the Book of Remembrance which gives the initials, surname, rank, unit and place of death: 'This book contains the names & particulars of the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men who gave their lives in the Great War, 1914-1918. In their memory the Bells in the tower were erected as an abiding Memorial of their heroism and sacrifice. The dedication ceremony was performed on June 4th 1921 by the Rev H. T. Hayman MA, Rector of Thornhill, Dewsbury, and formerly Chaplain of the 7th (Robin Hood) Battn, The Sherwood Foresters. 'Their Name liveth for evermore'.' The case also contains a copy of the order of service for the dedication of the bells.