Benjamin Pearce was the son of Benjamin and Emma Pearce, living at 50 Tootell Street in Chorley in 1901. He was one of four boys and by 1911 they were residing at 31 Longworth Street in the town – Chorley born Benjamin (Junior) was 15 year of age and working as a Reacher in a cotton mill.
He would have been just 18 when he joined the Pals; however, he is not on the list of men leaving the town to go to Caernarvon in 1915. Benjamin was known to work at Sumner & Co. and worship at St. Gregory’s; a Benjamin Pearce married Mary Bradley in Chorley during September 1919.
Other Information: Benjamin’s elder brother, Austin, served as Sgt. 11940 in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, leaving for service in the Balkans on the 15th June 1915; he died in 1944.
