George Newsom Pearson

Royal Garrison Artillery

Personal Details

Born: 6 January 1876 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and baptised on 6 February the same year in St. Alkmund’s Parish Church, Whitchurch.

Family: He was the eldest of six children born to Richard Pearson, a bank clerk, and his wife Anne, nee Newsom. He married Valentine Marie Monthelier on 30 April 1908 in Fortuna, Argentina. They had at least six children – Kathleen Beatrice, Robert Cosme, Grace Doreen and Walter Patrick all born in Paraguay, Annie Nancy born in Swanage, Dorset and Eileen Bulkeley born in Spain.

Residence: At the time of his baptism the family were living in Havannah House, Whitchurch; by 1881 they had moved to 25 St. Margaret, Leicester, Leicestershire. In 1891 they lived in Market Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire. In 1901 George was serving with the Northumberland Fusiliers in the Boer War in South Africa. At some point after this George travelled to South America, getting married in Argentina and having four children in Paraguay. The family returned from Argentina to the UK on 20 December 1916 to Burton Cottage, Richmond Park Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire, the home of his father, Richard. In 1922 his medals were sent to Riegos y Fierra del Ebro S A, Afranlado 491, Barcelona, Spain. In 1939 the family were living at 32 Bootham Crescent, York, Yorkshire; at the time of his death he was living at 51 Stanhope Road, Darlington, Durham.

Employment: In 1900 he enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers giving his occupation as a bank clerk, serving until 1901. The passage from Argentina in 1916 records his occupation as storekeeper and his military attestation in 1917 indicates he was a storekeeper for a Tramway and Electric Power Company. In 1939 he was a purchasing agent and A.R.P. warden.

Died: 25 September 1947 at the Memorial Hospital, Darlington, aged 71.

Military Details

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery (previously Royal Field Artillery)

Rank: Gunner

Service Number: 174210 (previously 212505)

Date of Enlistment: 10 February 1917

Date of Discharge: 24 April 1919

Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation

Other Information: George served with the Northumberland Fusiliers (number 7528) from 22 January 1900 to 27 May 1901, which included serving in the Boer War in South Africa. His brother Richard Nash served in the North Staffordshire Regiment; his brother Robert William was killed near Ypres on 15 May 1915.

Medals and Awards

George was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal)

Campaign Medals

Great War History Hub Whitchurch Shropshire Medals Front Image

The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.

The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.


 


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