A Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant H. Pearson, West Riding Regiment, later Captain, Tank Corps, who was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry in rescuing a wounded comrade just yards from the enemy trenches near Hooge in November 1915. Commissioned into the Tank Corps, he was severely wounded when his Tank F.45 (Fiducia) came under enemy fire during the Third Battle of Ypres on 22 August 1917

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9-12167 Sjt: H. Pearson. 9/W. Rid: R.); 1914-15 Star (12167. Sjt. H. Pearson. W. Rid. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. H. Pearson.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Harold Pearson.) mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £1,600-£2,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 22 January 1916 [in a joint citation with 9/12455 Lance-Corporal R. Rossall, 9th Battalion, West Riding Regiment]:
‘For conspicuous gallantry on the night of 22 November 1915, near Hooge. When a Lance-Corporal of their Battalion on bombing patrol had been mortally wounded about 10 yards from the German trenches, Sergeant Pearson and Lance-Corporal Russell promptly went out, although a German patrol was advancing towards them. Lance-Corporal Rossall drove the patrol off with bombs, and then he and the Sergeant went forward and brought in the wounded Lance-Corporal.’

Harold Pearson was born in Keighley Yorkshire, on 8 August 1890 and attested there for the West Riding Regiment on 31 August 1914. He was promoted Sergeant on 4 March 1915 and served with the 9th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 July 1915. Appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 19 November 1915, he was awarded the Distinguished Gallantry Medal for his gallantry near Hooge on 22 November 1915, and was slightly wounded in action on 25 February 1916, but remained at duty, before returning to England in August 1916 with a view to being granted a commission.

Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Tank Corps on 26 January 1917, Pearson returned to the front and was wounded in the chest by a machine gun bullet during the Third Battle of Ypres in the major action on 22 August 1917, whilst serving with the 6th Battalion, Tank Corps, in command of Tank F.45 (Fiducia):
‘Proceeded at Zero in front of the Infantry, and came into action immediately on crossing out front line. Shortly afterwards became ditched near Gallipoli, the unditching gear being broken whilst in use. F.49 later attempted to tow F.45 out, but failed. The Officer in charge, Second Lieutenant Pearson, being a casualty by this time, also 4 of his crew. The guns were removed, and taken on board F.49.’

Pearson was admitted to No. 7 Stationary Hospital at Boulogne the following day. Repatriated to England on 7 September 1917, he recovered sufficiently to be appointed an Assistant Instructor with the rank of Acting Lieutenant on 17 July 1918, and was subsequently confirmed as an Assistant Instructor, with the rank temporary Lieutenant and Acting Captain. He resigned his commission on 22 August 1920, and was granted the honorary rank of Captain.

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