Forgotten memorial men honoured as relatives attend

The family of a soldier who was nearly forgotten after losing his life in World War One have been tracked down.

John Pearson and fellow soldier James Watkins, who once studied at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge, had been omitted from a list of former students and staff who gave their lives during the world wars.

Archivist Kenneth Wright discovered they were missing and an appeal was launched to find surviving relatives before a special plaque was unveiled.

After reading an article in the BBC, two descendants of Mr Pearson were able to attend the unveiling.

Dr Chris Oxley and his wife Ursula, from Nottinghamshire, attended the special event at the college, alongside Stourbridge-based Mr Wright.

Principal Holly Bembridge described the event as a fitting tribute to the two young men and others who gave their lives.

She said having family members of Mr Pearson there made it even more special.

"Although Chris is the descendant, it was his wife Ursula who got in touch as she is a keen family historian," Ms Bembridge said.

"She was alerted by somebody on Ancestry.com who had heard the BBC broadcast."

Mr Pearson's family went to Tasmania, Australia, before World War One but some of the family stayed in the UK, heading to the Midlands instead.

Speaking on BBC Radio WM ahead of the event, Ms Bembridge said: "Remembrance Day is about remembering, thinking back to those times.

"We are so keen to just remember those young men.

"It will be extra special today. We'll have quite a few more people in that hall to have that service and see our plaque unveiled."

Meanwhile, a minutes' silence was held to mark Armistice Day in Dudley.

An event at the Clock Tower Memorial in Priory Street was attended by veterans, the local council and members of the public.

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