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I did contact Hexham Library, and someone there unsuccessfully looked for a mention of his death. This morning I went and looked myself, and found it straightaway.
THE DEPARTING YEOMANRY. - On Monday night a smoking concert was held at the Grey Bull Inn as a farewell to those who have joined the new company of the Imperial Yeomanry raised at Newcastle from this district. There was a very large attendance of friends and well-wishers, and an exceedingly pleasant evening was spent. Mr J. J. Potts presided. During the course of the evening Mr T. J. Elliott gave the health of the departing yeomen, Messrs H. Towns, John White, J. R. Murray, R. W. Walton, W. G. Smith, W. R. Pearson, and J. Roger Ward, and this was drunk most enthusiastically. A capital musical programme was gone through, there being plenty of talent available, while Mr J. W. Hutchinson acted as accompanist. The proceedings throughout were very enthusiastic, and closed with the health of Mr Walton, the host, and the singing of "God Save the King." The local members left Hexham on Tuesday. Some departed by earlier trains, but the rest were played to the station at mid-day by the members of the Volunteer Band.
The Hexham Courant, Saturday 9th February 1901
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DEATHS.
At Hexham, Widehaugh, 31st ult., aged 25, William Robert, third son of W. R. and Jane Pearson.
DEATH OF A LOCAL YEOMAN. - It is with regret we have to announce the death of Mr William R. Pearson, third son of Mr Wm. R. Pearson, of Widehaugh Gardens, near Hexham, who returned from South Africa some three weeks ago. The deceased young man, who was in his 25th year, volunteered into the Northumberland Imperial Yeomanry, and went through some eighteen months of hard marching and fighting in South Africa, rising to the rank of corporal in the famous 41st Company. After being home a few days he was attacked with enteric fever, and died about ten o'clock on Sunday night after a fortnight's illness. It is believed that the deceased had contracted the disease on board the vessel by which he travelled to England. Mr Pearson has had two sons at the war, his second son, Mr James Pearson, going out with the first batch of yeomanry, and being invalided home. The deceased, who went out in February of 1901, was a fine well-built young man. Much sympathy is felt for his parents and family in their sad bereavement.
The remains of the deceased were interred in Hexham Cemetery on Tuesday with military honours and the funeral provided a spectacle of a peculiarly moving nature, as well as one absolutely unique in the annals of the town. The particularly sad circumstances attending his death had evoked widespread sympathy, and the lengthy route traversed by the cortege, almost from one boundary of the parish to the other, was lined with people, while in Hexham there were many tokens of mourning along the crowded streets. The underbearers were Corporal Jack White and Troopers William Smith, Herbert Towns, and Lowes, comrades of the deceased who had returned from the front, while in addition there was a very large escort, mainly consisting of members of the Imperial Yeomanry who have just returned from South Africa, and many of whom were comrades of deceased, while there were in addition members of the local troop of the Northumberland Hussars and service members of Infantry battalions. They were in command of Sergt.-Major Ward, of Corbridge. Lieutenant T. A. L. Anderson, of Hexham, who has also just returned from the front, was present. The cortege was an exceptionally lengthy one. On arriving at Hexham Cemetery the escort lined the entrance and saluted as the corpse passed down the lines into the chapel, and they similarly saluted as the corpse left the chapel.
Among those present we noticed Mr and Mrs Pearson, father and mother; Mr H. Pearson, brother, and Mrs H. Pearson; Mr James and Mr Thomas Pearson, brothers, and Miss Pearson, sister; Mr Hepple, Miss Hepple, and Messrs Hepple, Newcastle; Mr John Pearson, Newcastle, uncle; Mr and Mrs Rowell, Hexham, uncle and aunt; Mr Geo. Pearson, Cullercoats, and Mr Hugh Pearson, Newcastle, cousins; Mr J. W. Moore, Hexham, cousin; Messrs William, John and Joseph Darlington, cousins; Mr and Mrs Jas. Robson, uncle and aunt, Mr Nevison and Mr E. Robson, Hexham, cousins; Mr and Mrs Geo. Robson, Newcastle, cousins; Messrs Robson, Stanley, cousins; Mr John Robson, Hexham; Mrs Wm. Robson, Hexham; Mrs Nattrass and Miss Nattrass; Mr W. T. Storey, North Shields; Mrs Lawson, Newcastle; Mr Ed. Shield, Broadway House; Messrs Geo, Edward and W. A. Charlton, Hexham; Mr Fairless Thompson, Mr G. A. Shield, Mr W. G. Shield, Mr W. W. Shield, Mr W. Ridley, Mr Emerson, Mr J. S. Emerson, Mr Jos. Nevison, Mr Thos. Swinburn, Mr Ed. Stevenson, Mr T. Blackburn, Mr Jas. White, Mr R. Knight, Mr R. Phipps, Mr R. Breckons, Hexham; Mr M. Bell, West Boat; Mr Morrison, Mr Shanks, Mr E. J. Pigg, Mr Henderson, Dilston; Mr Telfer, Bellingham. The burial service was impressively rendered by the Rev. T. W. Fawthrop, Wesleyan minister, who also gave an appropriate address at the grave side. There was an exceptional number of very beautiful wreaths, and these included quite a number from "old comrades" and others from individual members of the 41st Company of the I.Y.
The Hexham Courant, Saturday 6th September 1902
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