Re: 1921 Census - Harold William Pearson b1886

[LizzieL]

Perhaps there was a court martial as he was a serving soldier and also a civil trial as he had committed a criminal offence.

[LizzieL]

There are two other people on trial with him. Although not answering the original question as to how HWP got the job in Banbury in 1921, it might be interesting to see what the other two were doing in 1921.

[billbir]

Sorry Rosie, by my reckoning 1886 to 1917 is about 31.
I do not know anything about a 2nd Harold William Pearson and did not raise it. The article undoubtedly refers to my Grandfather. Bill

[rosie99]

Sorry Bill, I am just posting the information the papers gave.

ShaunJ asked you if you were sure it was the same person, I was just trying to give a bit more information in case anyone could confirm one way or the other.  Do you have his service records

[billbir]

Hi Rosie, I am absolutely sure that it is my Grandfather. Bear in mind that we are not talking generations back. The names mentioned on the 1921 census are my grandparents so no confusion from this end. Bill

[alan o]

As you seem to have all the facts the only possibility is that he lied to his employer and hid his criminal past.  Not sure what else you can find out that you have not already said.

[billbir]

Alan, As the Disposal and Liquidation Commission was a Military body it is highly unlikely that they would not have checked his record. I agree that I do have all the information on the individual as he was my Grandfather but just hoping one of the Rootschat members could have some input that I had not considered.Bill

[LizzieL]

In 1911 HWP was with a different wife - Bertha Emily. Did they divorce? In 1921 Bertha was in a household with another Pearson family member.
Or are there two HWPS born in 1886 in Forest Gate?

[ShaunJ]

The Disposal and Liquidation Commission was not a military body. It was a Treasury body, set up when the Ministry of Munitions was abolished "to exercise such of the powers and duties transferred to the Treasury.... as related to the disposal of surplus Government property , the completion and liquidation of contracts and other liabilities of the Ministry."

As such it would not have access to army service records.  No doubt references would have been sought, and we might surmise that HWP would have nominated a friendly former officer or two as referees. 

I wonder if his guilty plea in 1917 had saved his CO from investigation.