Henry John Pearman

A Private with the 7th Battalion, Henry died on 12th of October 1916 at the age of 18. 

Henry was born at Ashby in 1897, a son of Arthur and Eliza Pearman. In 1901 his family lived at The Dell, Ashby, and this was still their home in 1911.

Henry volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft in later September/early October 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 1493, and served with the 6th (Cyclist) Battalion. Harry was posted to the 7th Battalion in France, with service number 43084. 

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

10 October 1916

Relieved 11th Middlesex in Bulls Runs, near Flers, four companies in front line.

12 October 1916

Attack to be made on Bayonet Trench and Luisenhoff Farm. Morning very quiet.
5 a.m. Battalion lying in shell holes in front ready.
10 a.m. Major Henty went forward to advance Battalion Headquarters in Grass Street to receive reports.
2 p.m. Zero. Attack started. German barrage very intense. Battalion proceeded in four waves, each company with a platoon front.
No definite report until 6 p.m. when Battalion was back in front line having failed to attain objective.
B and D Companies gained objective, but were driven out by superior numbers.
1st Essex on right gained objective but were unable to hold it, finally and they managed to keep part of it.
Battalion withdrew to reserve in Flers Trench. 

Colonel Murphy, in history of the Suffolk Regiment, felt that the attack failed because the enemy wire had only partially been destroyed and that the British barrage was ineffective.

All fifteen officers that went over the top became casualties: eleven killed and four wounded. Ninety two other ranks were killed and, in total, the Battalion had over 500 casualties.  

Henry was reported missing and later presumed to have been killed in action on, or since, 12 October. 

Henry’s brother Arthur served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and died in 1916.