Joseph Sykes Pearson

Acting Captain. Royal Army Service Corps. (Motor Transport)

Son of the late Henry Edward and Clara Pearson, of Cliffe Ash, Golcar.

Born 22nd January 1892.

Baptised at St. John's Golcar, 17th March 1892.

Brother of Donald, Hattie and Phylis.

Occupation: Management member of Pearson Brothers, Woollen Mill, Slaithwaite and Golcar.

Married to Elsie Marion Woolven (Mingy) at St. Peter's Church, Huddersfield on 11th October1917.

Address: 19 Trinity Street, Huddersfield.

Awarded the Croise de Guerre for distinguished service in the field.

Died: 7th November 1918 aged 26.

Buried at Les Baraques, Sangatte, N. Calais. Plot V1. D.4.

Les Baraques is on the western side of Calais on the road to Sangatte. The British No. 9 Red Cross Hospital and the Canadian No.10 hospitals were in the town providing about 2,500 beds. It became necessary to start the new cemetery in September 1917 and it was used until 1921. There are 1,303 Commonwealth burials here.

Joseph was a member of the Colne Valley Territorials at the outbreak of war, and rose to the rank of Major and Adjutant. He transferred to the Army Service Corps and while in France was awarded the French Crois-de-Guerre for conspicuous gallantry in the field. Whilst home on leave a month before his death he was presented with a silver plate by Golcar Heroes Committee in recognitions of his honour by the French Government.

He married Elsie at Huddersfield Parish Church. She was the youngest daughter of Alderman J.A. Woolven of West Parade, Huddersfield. Joseph died a year later of pneumonia following a bout of influenza. He left the contents of his will to her. She remained a widow for the rest of her life and never married again.

His name is on the Roll of Honour in St. John's Church, Golcar, where there is also a brass plaque.