South Yorkshire Times January 10, 1959

Golden Memories

Bet That Made Wath Couple’s Reunion Possible

A racing wager in the November Handicap of 1909 had a direct influence on the lives of a well-known Wath couple. Its successful outcome enabled Mr. William Pearce, newly arrived in the district from Staffordshire, to be re-united with his young bride at Wombwell.

It Won

On Saturday Mr. and Mrs. Pearce of 36, Brampton Road, West Melton, celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary, and speaking to a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter this week. Mr. Pearce turned back the years to recall the incident “The name of the horse was “Admiral Togo”, and against all advice I backed it. I was playing football in the afternoon and had just scored when someone siptailed from the touchline that my horse had won the race. I had no further, interest in football that afternoon commented Mr. Pearce.

Mr. Pearce is a native of Princes End, near Tipton, Staffs., and his wife hails from neighbouring Bradley near Bilston. They were married at Coseley Church. Dudley and Mr. Pearce preceded his wife to South Yorkshire when he took up mining at Houghton Main Colliery, later moving to Wath Main where he remained for 30 years until his retirement in July. 1954.

Severely wounded in the Dardanelles landings in 1916. Mr. Pearce had been a keen footballer prior to the war. He played for Darfield United. “He used to live football”, disclosed Mrs. Pearce, who added that her husband would devour a plate of rice pudding, and then dash off to his match

Contemporaries of Mr. Pearce during this period were the late Roy Kilner and his brother, Norman with whom he played football for Mitchell Main F.C. Grandson William today can use the Pearce footballing tradition the Mitchell Main F.C.

A Kilner Stick

A souvenir from those days is a gnarled walking stick which belonged to Roy Kilner’s grandfather. After 20 years at Low Valley, Wombwell Mr. and Mrs. Pearce came to 67 Avenue Road, Wath in July 1929 and moved to their present attractive little bungalow in Brampton Road in 1957.

An avalanche of greetings descended on the Pearce household on Saturday. Most delightful surprise of the day was a visit from their children who brought gifts of a portable wireless set, a bouquet of tulips and daffodils, a buttonhole for Mr. Pearce, a beautifully decorated anniversary cake and a bottle of wine

Now aged 69—he will be 70 on June 28th—Mr. Pearce has been a member of the British Legion Club committee at Wath for 18 years. He is also a member of the Hollies Club. Mrs. Pearce, aged 66, has been a member of the Wath Cooperative Guild since 1935.

Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have three daughters and two sons, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bettney of Canberra Rise, Bolton-on-Dearne, Mr and Mrs. Fred Bailey of 2.Brow and Road West Melton. Mrs. E. Ennis of Darfield. Mr. and Mrs. William Pearce of 96, Rose Grove, Wombwell and Mr. and Mrs. Norman Pearce of Packman Road, West Melton. 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren complete the family