If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.
You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

Pearson-E-A-Pte-385

Page history last edited by Lenore Frost 7 years, 2 months ago

Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

2nd Lieutenant Ernest Albert Pearson of the Australian Flying Corps displaying his Military Medal.

Courtesy of the Pearson family.

Pearson E A Pte 385 Ernest Albert 37 Inf Bn 18 Salesman Single C of C

Address: Ascot Vale, Epsom Rd, 120

Next of Kin: Pearson, William, father, 120 Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale

Enlisted: 5 Feb 1916

Embarked: A34 Persic 3 Jun 1916

Prior service: Area 58A Senior Cadets

Awards: Military Medal

2nd Lieutenant Ernest Albert Pearson, MM

Ernest Albert Pearson was born in Ascot Vale in 1899. When he enlisted on 5 February 1916 he had complete four years of training with the 58 Senior Cadets, Ascot Vale. After training at Larkhill Camp, Pearson proceeded overseas for service in France on 22 Nov 1916. It was only two months after this that he won the Military Medal.

Meanwhile, back in Melbourne someone at Base Records became suspicious about his age, and enquiries were made on 15 June 1917 as to what age was shown on his attestation paper, and whether parents' consent had been given. The answer was that he had claimed to be 18 and 4 months, and there was no consent forms included in his file. In theory young lads could join the AIF at 18, but not be sent overseas until they turned 19. Even if his given age of 18 was true, he had been sent overseas far too early. He was in fact 16 years and 4 months.

It took until November 1917 to remove him from the field. He was returned to Depot in England to be placed on duty in a General Hospital until he reached the age of 19. This apparently took place in October 1918 when he was transferred to the Australian Flying Corps. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 4 January 1919 and sent to train as a pilot. He embarked for return to Australia in May 1919, and his commission was terminated in Melbourne on 5 August 1919.

2nd Lieutenant Ernest Pearson at the Australian Flying Depot, circa 1919. Courtesy of the Pearson family.

WON THE MILITARY MEDAL.

Bugler E. A. Pearson, of Epsom road, Ascot Vale, who was a member of the Ascot Vale Bugle Band before he enlisted, has been awarded the military medal. The deed for which he received the medal was told in a letter from Major Knox-Knight, as follows -"One of my splendid lads, 385 Bugler E. A. Pearson, A Company, who is only a boy of 18, did magnificent work on Xmas night. He carried an important message right through Fritz's artillery barrage to the Battalion on our right, and brought the answer back, with artillery bursting all round him the whole time. He was knocked over twice by explosions, and when he got back was completely done up. Lieut. J. A. Carrodus also wrote in glowing terms of the exploit of the young soldier.

: WON THE MILITARY MEDAL. (1917, April 12). The Essendon Gazette and Keilor, Bulla and Broadmeadows Reporter (Moonee Ponds, Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 1 Edition: Morning. Retrieved May 11, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74602236

Citation for Military Medal

Pte Ernest Albert Pearson

At ARMENTIERES on the 2nd January 1917, he displayed great courage during a heavy enemy bombardment. He carried a heavy enemy bombardment. He carried a despatch to the Battalion on the left along the front line, and although knocked over by a shell, he succeeded in delivering his despatch and returning with a reply. On his return he was found to be suffering from shell shock, and has to receive medical attention.

https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1068481--9-.pdf

Ernest Pearson's Military Medal. Courtesy of the Pearson family.

Mr. and Mrs. McFarlane, 'Altona,' St. Vincent place, gave a very enjoyable social and musical evening, last Wednesday to about forty friends to welcome home their nephews, Gunners Fred and Leslie Gregory, of the 12th Army A.F.A. Brigade, and Gunner Geoff. Moore ; also to Ernest Pearson, of the Flying Corps. The occasion also served to celebrate the birthday of their uncle, Mr. C. D. Gregory. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. A. Myers, Misses Florrie, Isabel, and George Myers, Mr. and Mrs. Moore, and Miss Eva McFarlane.

No title. (1919, July 5). Record (Emerald Hill, Vic. : 1881 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved March 6, 2015, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165175182