Ernest Pearson was working at the Stowmarket Cordite Factory in 1911.
William and Rosa Pearson had six children, three sons; William, Ernest and Edgar and three daughters; Rosa, Anna and Elsie. In 1911, the family was living in Stowmarket, Suffolk, where William senior worked as a saddler and collar-maker. William junior was a grocer’s assistant, Ernest was employed at the cordite factory and Edgar as a butcher’s boy. Only William and Ernest were old enough to serve during the First World War. Ernest later became an attendant at St Audry’s Hospital and both brothers are recorded in the Melton Roll of Honour in Booths Almanac of 1915 and 1916.