Edith Pears

September 1st, 1889 - March 24th, 1956

She is a Virgo.

Edith Wearne was born at Fulham to Frank Wearne, co-founder of the firm of Feuerheerd Wearne (the business was eventually taken over by Gonzales Byass well known for their marketing of 'Tio Pepe' sherry). Frank died in 1924. Edith's mother, Ada Wearne (née Morris) was a kindly but severe Victorian matriarch. The Morris family had interests in the well-known city solicitors, Ashurst Morris Crisp and in property Development.

Edith was educated at Wycombe Abbey School and then lived in France for a period before returning to the family home in Greencroft Gardens, Hampstead, London NW6. In September 15th, 1910 just after her 21st birthday, she married Thomas Pears, the great great grandson of Andrew Pears, the founder of the soap-manufacturing company, A & F Pears Ltd.

Aboard Titanic/April 14th-15th, 1912:
Thomas attained a senior position in the company and in 1912 prepared to cross the Atlantic, possibly to look at a site for his company's extension into America. Edith and Thomas boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton and they occupied cabin C-2. Edith survived the sinking having been rescued in lifeboat 8 but Thomas perished.

After The Sinking/Later Life/Death:
Thomas's will left a sum of £16,763 10s 7d so Edith was probably well provided for however, she was shocked to learn that she couldn't continue to live at 'Mevagissey' as it was a company-owned house. Edith had 4 brothers. Keith and Bernard were killed in action, Bernard being awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross and Geoffrey (fighting with the Canadian Army) was in trenches undermined by the Germans and blown up-as a result of which and due to constant shelling, he became very aggressive when demobbed and in 1919 was certified insane, being committed to a mental hospital, where he spent the remaining 58 years of his life.

During the period Edith, at her father's suggestion, was sharing a London flat with Norah, the daughter of an old friend of his, Dr. Crowe. Edith served as a nurse in the British Red Cross, for whom she drove an ambulance. She also joined the WRNS, for whom she drove a cab, her main duties being to fetch Admirals and other senior officers from the Admiralty, from their clubs at night. Norah's brother, Mr. D. V Crowe was an electrical engineer bh training. His poor eyesight had ruled him unfit for military service. He therefore, became a tea-planter in the South of Indiana at Periaburrar Estate, Munaar P.O near Periyakulam (previously known as Travancore).

When he came home to leave, he met Edith while visiting his sister. In due course, they were engaged, then married. A daughter, Sheila M., was born in Travancore in 1920 and a son, Frank W., in 1924, at Worcester Park, Surrey. Edith suffered some form of mental illness and died at Royal Surrey County Hospital on March 24th, 1956 from Pneumonia caused by having ingested ammonia. Edith was cremated at Woking Crematorium Surrey, her ashes were scattered in the Garden of Remembrance there.

Sources:
www.encyclopedia-titanica.org

Rest In Peace Edith Pears.

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