Robert David Pearson

SERGEANT ROBERT DAVID PEARSON 4218 – 3rd Tunnelling Company / 4th Pioneer Battalion

The parents of the following soldiers who fought in the Great War were George Edward and Ellen Pearson who resided in the county of Staffordshire, England where their family was born. They lived at Oldbury then Brierley Hill and later Wolverhampton. In 1901 members of the family were at 6 Wyrley Street, Wolverhampton and consisted of Ellen (37) a grocer – storekeeper, her mother-in-law Clara E. Pearson (73), George E. (11), Frederick J. (10), Robert (7), Horace (4) and Arthur F. (1). The family later immigrated to Western Australia.

Robert David Pearson was born on November 14, 1893 in Oldbury, Staffordshire. His previous military experience was two years with the A.M.C. until he resigned. He married Mary Elspeth Fyfe at Claremont, W.A. on November 1, 1912.

Three years later on December 29, 1915 the twenty-two year old blacksmith striker applied to enlist for service abroad in Perth, W.A.. Passing the medical examination Attestation Forms were completed and his description on enlistment was 171cms (5ft 7¼ins) tall, weighed 62.2kgs (137kgs) with a chest expansion of 88-93cms (34½-36½ins). Hair was dark brown with a fresh complexion and brown eyes. Distinctive marks were a mole on his right breast and three vaccination scars on his left arm. Church of England was his religious denomination. Next-of-kin was Mrs Mary Elspeth Pearson of 312 Mandurah Road, South Fremantle, W.A. and later of Higham Road, Leederville, W.A. Swearing in took place in Perth on January 10, 1916. Photo: Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire Basic training commenced on January 10, 1916 with the 42nd Depot Battalion as a Private until March 15 when he was promoted to Corporal and assigned to the No. 6 Tunnelling Company with the regimental number 4218. On March 31 the company moved to Belmont camp for specialised training. A promotion on April 1 to Sergeant took place from Company Order No. 21.

Early in May, 1916 the No. 4 Tunnelling Company consisting of six officers and 152 other ranks together with the 1st Reinforcements of fifteen other ranks making up two sections, embarked from Brisbane, Qld aboard HMAT A69 Warilda for Sydney, NSW.

At Rosebery Park, Sydney, NSW they joined their Headquarters and two sections (8 officers & 153 O.Rs.) plus 1st Reinforcements consisting of one officer and seventeen other ranks for final training.

The 7713-ton transport Warilda departed Sydney, NSW on May 22, 1916 and collected in Melbourne, Victoria the No. 5 Company recruited from Victoria, South Aust. & Tasmania made up of Headquarters and 2 Sections (8 officers & 173 men) (3 M.D.). One Section from Tasmania (3 officers & 76 O.Rs); also 1st Reinforcements for No. 5 Company (17 men from Vic. & 8 men Tas.) The ship departed on May 25, 1916 for Adelaide, S.A. to collect one Section of 3 officers & 76 O.Rs with 1st Reinforcements of 8 O.Rs.

Docking at Fremantle, W.A. on June 1, 1916 added No. 6 Company recruited from W.A. of 14 officers and 325 O.Rs along with 1st Reinforcements of 1 Officer & 32 O.Rs and sailed the same day.

Durban, South Africa was reached on June 16, 1916 and Cape Town on June 21, 1916 while St Vincent completed the African ports of call on July 7, 1916. Discipline was fairly good except at intermediate ports where Away without Leave caused concern. The fifty-eight day voyage experienced remarkable pleasant weather terminating at Plymouth, England on July 18, 1916. Four, Five and Six Companies comprising of 1064 officers and other ranks were detrained to Amesbury and Tidworth to begin training for the front at Perham Downs. The Reinforcements proceeded to France on August 28, 1916 and marched into the 2nd Aust General Base Depot two days later. He was taken on strength in the field on September 30, 1916 with the 3rd Tunnelling Company.

He remained with the company until engaged on Supernumeracy to the 4th Pioneer Battalion on April 14, 1917 and taken on strength two days later. His regimental number became 4218B around May 8, 1917.

Leave was granted from July 28 until August 8, 1917.

Returning he was admitted to the 4th Aust Field Ambulance on August 11 then sent the next day to the 4th D.R.S. (Divisional Rest Station) 13th Aust Field Ambulance with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (Fever) Uncertain Origin). On August 18 was transferred to the 18th Aust Casualty Clearing Station and travelled on A.T.7 and entered the 32nd Stationary Hospital at Wimereux. Moved to the 1st Convalescent Depot on August 26 in Boulogne and onto the 10th Conv. Depot by August 31 in Ecault. This changed to the 13th Conv. Depot on September 5 and admitted to the 14th Conv. Depot at Tronville the next day.

On November 10, 1917 he had been away from his unit for over three months and his whereabouts was checked on December 3. But the day before was transferred to the Base Depot at Havre where on December 19 went before a Medical Board who classed him as ‘PB’ [Permanent to Base Duty] due to defective eyes and to return to England. The following day entered No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.

Sergeant Pearson embarked for home on February 15, 1918 on board hospital carrier H.T. Llanstephan Castle for discharge in Australia due to defective eyes and D.A..H. (disordered action of heart). His wife would have been advised by Base Records of his homecoming.

His name appeared in the list published in the Western Argus on Tuesday March 26, 1918:

RETURNING SOLDIERS The following members of the A.I.F. are en route from abroad, and will be due shortly: List ‘L’ Sgt R.D. Pearson Article Abridged

Military Discharge was issued in Perth, W.A. (5th M.D.) as medically unfit due to defective eyes and D.A.H. (disordered action of heart)

The British War Medal (11226) and the Victory Medal (11095) were issued to Sergeant 4218B Robert David Pearson, 3rd Tunnelling Company / 4th Pioneer Battalion for his service to his country.

In 1925 Robert and Mary Pearson were residing at Graylands Road, Claremont, W.A. and he was a dairyman. In 1931 they were at Buntine in the Kalgoorlie district and he was a farmer. From 1936 onwards his address was 61 Loftus Street, Claremont, W.A. with the occupation of labourer.

Statements of service were issued to the Repatriation Commission on August 11 and 14, 1931.

Robert David Pearson passed away in 1975 aged 81 years. His death was registered in Perth, W.A..

The photograph (above) and the extract below are in the book Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire:

Sergeant Robert David Pearson (4218), son of George and Ellen Pearson, of Claremont, was born in England on the 14th November, 1893, and was educated there. He was married on the 1st November, 1912, to Mary Fyfe, and they have three children. He enlisted in December, 1915, and sailed for England on the 1st June, 1916. He went to France attached to the 3rd Tunnelling Company, and was later transferred to the 4th Pioneers. He was in action on the Somme, also at Messines, Hamel Hill and Plug St. Wood, until October, 1917, when he was gassed and wounded. He was invalided to Australia, and arrived home on the 7th April, 1918. Brothers who served were: PRIVATE FREDERICK JAMES PEARSON 1967 – 12th Battalion

On March 3, 1915 Frederick James Pearson enlisted in Perth, W.A. for active service abroad giving his birthplace as Oldbury, Staffordshire about 1889. The twenty-five year old carpenter was 163cms (5ft 4ins) tall, weighed 60.9kgs (134lbs) with a chest expansion of 87-90ms (34- 35½ins) and had a medium to fair complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. Church of England was his religion. Next-of-kin was his widowed mother Mrs Ellen Pearson of Phillip Road, Claremont, W.A. and he allotted four-fifths of his pay to support her.

Training took place at No. 12 Depot Battalion at Blackboy Hill camp and he embarked for duty on HMAT A17 Port Lincoln with the 5th Reinforcement to the 12th Battalion on April 1, 1915. He suffered concussion from a bomb on August 10, 1915 and was sent from Mudros on the ship Aquitania and admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital in Wandsworth, England for treatment of concussion and injured hand.

He arrived at Depot Headquarters at Weymouth on December 15, 1915 and was taken on strength of Burtford Depot on June 8, 1916. Under debility classification C1 he reported for duty to Administration Headquarters in London on October 20, 1916.

At St Peter’s Church of England in Pimlico, Middlesex on May 5, 1917 Frederick James Pearson (26) married Annie Bella Dawson (28) spinster daughter of Edwin George Dawson of Stafford Mansions, Buckingham Gate after banns; the ceremony officiated by Rev. W.A. Simmonds.

He was admitted to Southall Hospital on April 12, 1918 and detached for duty from Headquarters on May 2, 1918 to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth to await his voyage home for discharge.

He returned to Australia (his wife not mentioned) on the H.T. Matatua on June 17, 1918 and disembarked at Fremantle, W.A. (5th M.D.) on August 8, 1918.

He was still under treatment at the No. 8 Aust General Hospital in Fremantle, W.A. on January 6, 1919.

Military discharge took place in Perth, W.A. (5th M.D.) due to flat feet and Neurasthenia (Nervous condition, constantly worried to point of exhaustion) on March 8, 1919 as medically unfit.

For serving his country Private 4218 Frederick James Pearson, 12th Battalion was issued with the 1914/15 Star (2420), the British War Medal (2635) and the Victory Medal (2632).

A Statement of Service was forwarded to the Repatriation Commission in Perth, W.A. on April 2, 1931.

Frederick James Pearson died in 1966 at the age of 75 years and his death was registered in Perth, W.A.

His short extract from the book Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire reads:

Private FREDERICK JAMES PEARSON. Private Frederick James Pearson, 12th Battalion, brother of Robert, also served in Gallipoli and France, and was wounded. He returned from active service.

PRIVATE GEORGE EDWARD PEARSON 992 – 44th Battalion St Andrews, Oldbury, Staffordshire, England was the birthplace of George Edward Pearson about 1890. He was a grocer when enlisting for service on January 17, 1916. Particulars taken after passing the medical examination show the twenty-six year old stood 165cms (5ft 5ins) tall, weighed 59kgs (130lbs) with a chest expansion of 85-90cms (33½-35½ins). Fresh was his complexion with blue eyes and light brown hair. Church of England was his religion. Next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Florence Gertrude Pearson of Alma Cottage, Rockton Road, Claremont, W.A.

Basic training was undertaken in Area 7 of the Blackboy Hill camp with 44th Battalion. They departed Fremantle, W.A.. on HMAT A29 Suevic on June 6, 1916 arriving at Plymouth, Eng. on July 21, 1916. A month later he was appointed 1st Line Driver.

Private Pearson proceeded overseas via Southampton to France on November 25, 1916.

He suffered from social disease and chronic illness during his service and was sent to England on the hospital ship Panama with Influenza. After the war was attached for duty in London with the War Chest Club until the return of illness during January 1919 and hospitalised further.

His voyage to Australia on the H.T. Somali departed on June 1, 1919 and reached Fremantle (5th M.D.) on July 8, 1919 for demobilisation. Military discharge took place on August 23, 1919 after termination of his period of enlistment.

The British War Medal (11560) and the Victory Medal (11424) were issued to Private 992 George Edward Pearson, 44th Battalion for serving his country.

A Statement of Service was issued to the Repatriation Commission on January 17, 1929.

George Edward Pearson died in 1971 aged 81 years and his death was registered in Perth, W.A.

The following line was taken from the book Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire:

Private GEORGE EDWARD PEARSON. Private George Edward Pearson, 44th Battalion, also a brother of Robert, was on active service, and returned to Australia.

PRIVATE HORACE WILLIAM PEARSON 3329 – 44th Battalion

Horace William Pearson was born in Round Oak, Staffordshire, England and left his occupation of a Chemist’s assistant when he joined the A.I.F. on February 12, 1917 in Perth, W.A. He had been rejected on April 10, 1915 for defective vision. Later consent was given for her son to join as he was under the adult age of twenty-one years.

He had a fresh complexion with grey eyes and fair hair, stood 170cms (5ft 7ins) tall, weighed 70kgs (154lbs) with a chest expansion of 85-92cms (33½-36½ins). His religious denomination was Church of England. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Ellen Pearson of 13 Anzac Road, Leederville, W.A.

Training commenced at D2 Depot Battalion and allotted to the 8th Reinforcement to the 44th Battalion until March 26, 1917. He embarked on HMAT A30 Borda on June 29, 1917 from Fremantle, W.A and arrived in Plymouth on September 25, 1917.

He proceeded to France on April 23, 1918 from Folkstone and taken on strength with the 44th Battalion four days later. He contracted Influenza in June, 1918 and returned to duty on August 29, 1918. One month later on September 29, 1918 he was killed in action in France. The West Australian on Saturday November 2, 1918 published the following notice:

BEREAVEMENT NOTICES Mrs E. Pearson and Family of 13 Anzac-road, Leederville, desire to THANK all kind friends for cards, letters, telegrams and personal expressions of sympathy in the loss of their dear son and brother, H.W. Pearson killed in action on September 29, 1918.

In the Casualty List published in the Sunday Times on Sunday December 1, 1918 was his name:

THE ROLL OF HONOUR Killed in Action H.W. Pearson (Leederville) Article Abridged

A year after his demise a notice was placed in The West Australian on Monday September 29, 1919:

IN MEMORIAM PEARSON—In sad and loving memory of our dear son and brother Horace William Pearson, killed in action Sunday September 29, 1918, somewhere in France; of the 8/44th Battalion reinforcements, aged 22 years 4 months. —Inserted by his loving mother, sister, Eunice Gertrude and brother Frank Arthur, 13 Anzac-road, Leederville. Article abridged

For his supreme sacrifice Private 3329 Horace William Pearson, 44th Battalion was awarded the British War Medal (57788) and the Victory Medal (56828) which went to his mother. She also received the Memorial Scroll (353702) and the Memorial Plaque (353702) in 1923 in his honour.

His name is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France for soldiers with no known grave.

His name was recognised by the following sentence in the book Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire:

Private HORACE WILLIAM PEARSON. Private Horace William Pearson, 44th Battalion, another brother, was in action at Gallipoli and in France, where he made the supreme Sacrifice.

LEST WE FORGET

This photo was beside Robert Pearson in the book Australia’s Fighting Sons of the Empire and is either one of his brothers not identified by name or an earlier image of Robert. © Donna Baldey 2011 www.tunnellers.net