Claude Pearce was born in Great Torrington in 1880. He was the son of parents who owned a local grocery store. His father, William, was born in 1851 in the town, whilst his mother, Eliza, was born in Warwickshire in 1853. As well as his older brother, Fred, the household in Fore Street is also shared with Lucy Vodden, who is the family’s domestic servant.

 

By 1891 the family have moved to 3 High Street, Great Torrington. They have also been joined by two nieces from Warwickshire, Edith Parslow, 20, and Louise Parslow, 17. Louise is helping with the family grocery business. The two lads are both at school.

 

A number of articles in local papers show that the family were active members of the Wesleyan Church and regularly attended and organised charity events in the town. The 31st May 1906 edition of the North Devon Journal reported on a ‘sale of work’, which was raising funds for the lighting and cleaning of the chapel. It was also reported that Claude Pearce was the General Secretary of the sale, which “after much counting and cyphering” a profit of £50 was announced [1]. A further example from the North Devon Journal in 1910 reports of a Wesleyan bazaar in the Town Hall, which had a “Red Indian” theme and fancy dress and wigwams. Claude made a “first rate Rob Roy, and fitted it on rockers” (a Rob Roy is a type of canoe, it was fitted on rockers to make a see-saw) [2].   

 

The turn of the century sees that Claude has left school and is working in the family business as a grocery assistant. Little has changed in the household at this point, other than the family have a new domestic servant, Alice Coff, from St Giles in the Wood. However, by 1911, the census has the family moved to ‘Rugbyville’, Great Torrington. Claude’s parents have retired from the family business. The latest in a line of family domestic servants is Dorothy Stedwill, a 16 year old from Petrockstow.

 

 At the outset of war, Claude didn’t join the colours immediately. Indeed, his case for exemption as an essential worker was taken to the Torrington Tribunal in October 1916 after being attested in the August. He was appealed Mr T Pearce, who was said to be in charge of the store in the High Street at that time. Mr Pearce argued that eight of their staff had already enlisted. Claude was granted two months without the right to appeal [3].

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Claude would enlist with the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1917 with the service number 123533. He was attached to the 34th Company. However, he would never actually see active service on the front lines, or even leave English shore for that matter. His papers record that he was on staff at the Military Hospital at Court Farm, Croydon. On Friday 27th February 2019, following a short bout of influenza, Claude contracted pneumonia and passed away in the Crescent War Hospital, Croydon. He was 39 years of age and was unmarried.

 

Full military honours were accorded for his funeral at Warlingham Parish Churchyard. In his eulogy he was described as having “a very genial and kindly disposition, and popular amongst his comrades, and he had also made many friendships in Warlingham since he had been in camp, especially amongst the congregation at the Wesleyan Church, where he was a regular worshipper”[4].

 

The North Devon Journal article continues:

 

“The funeral cortege left Court Farm after two o'clock. A firing party from the Guards Depot, Caterham, led the way, and then the R.A M.C. brass band, playing the Dead March in "Saul." The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, was conveyed in a glass hearse with Guardsmen as bearers. The mourners were the deceased's father and brother, and P.C. and Mrs. Castle (friends). A considerable body of officers, N.C.O's and men of the staff at the camp slowly marched in the rear of the procession, and finally a motor car with ladies of the Warlingham Soldiers' Club.

The first part of the service, held in the Wesleyan Church, was conducted by the minister (Rev. W. Thackeray), assisted by the Rev. Fredk. Brown (Wesleyan Chaplain at the Guard depot). After singing "The Hymn of the Homeland," deceased's favourite hymn, Psalm XC, was read by the Rev. F. Brown, and the Ist Corinthians, XV, 20 by the Pastor, who led the congregation in praper (sic). Mrs Arnold Ward presided at the organ.

At the close the procession reformed, and went back to the village to the mournful strains of the Dead March in "Saul" to the parish Churchyard, where there was a large assembly at the graveside, despite the inclement weather. The Rev. F. Brown conducted the committal service, and at the conclusion three volleys were fired over the grave and a bugler sounded the "Last Post."

The beautiful floral tributes were sent from the Father and Mother, Lou, Nance, Dot and Fred; from his friends at Kintare, Mr and Mrs Castle; From his comrades of 34th Co. R A M.C.; Mrs. S. Cox; and from the ladies of the Warlingham Soldiers' Club”.

 

Private Pearce’s headstone can be found at the Warlingham All Saints Churchyard in Surrey.

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One final note is that the Great Torrington war memorial has Claude listed with the rank of Lance Corporal. I have seen no record to say that this is the case, every official record I can find refers to him as a Private.