CEFRG presents the story of the Pearson Brothers in the Great War. Vaughan, the youngest, served in the Artillery. His elder brothers, Marmaduke and Lester became pilots. Reverend Edwin A. Pearson, their father, looked over them during their service in the CEF. He had much to do with the paths they took during the Great War.
Signaller Vaughan Whittier Pearson
The middle son, Vaughan, was the last to enlist of the Pearson Brothers in the Great War. Signaller Vaughan Whittier Pearson 337861 was born 4 July 1898 in Toronto, Ontario. He was a university student, having trained 6 months with the C.O.T.C. Vaughan stood 5′ 6″ tall, 136 pounds, with fair complexion, brown eyes and auburn hair. He was Methodist. Vaughan’s parents were the Reverend Edwin A. Pearson and his wife Annie S. Bowles. He attested 7 April 1916 in Toronto with the 67th Depot Battery.
Service
Vaughan embarked overseas, 15 July 1916, arriving in England 25 July 1916. Appointed Acting Sergeant, 16 September 1916. Transferred to the 82nd Howitzer Battery, 1st Divisional Artillery, 9 October 1916. Then, at Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe, Mumps, 28 December 1916, discharged 17 January 1917 to 4th Battery, Shorncliffe.
Taken-on-Strength (T.o.S.), 6th Canadian Siege Battery, having arrived from England as reinforcement. Finally, attached 176th Tunneling Company, Royal Engineers, 15 October 1917. Rejoined unit from 3 October 1917.
On 4 December 1917, Vaughan’s father writes to Sir Edward Kemp. Asking for Vaughan to be transferred back to England in order to receive a Commission as a Lieutenant in the Canadian Siege Battery. Kemp is now the Minister of Militia and Defence and the Minister of Overseas Military Forces. Since two of his sons now serving as pilots, Edwin hopes to keep his youngest son behind the lines. Edwin’s request partially fulfilled.
Promotion
Proceeded On Command of C.C. Wirelesss Section, 8 January 1918. On 20 March 1918, now with 2nd Brigade, C.G.A. Granted leave of absence from 21 July to 4 August 1918. Rejoined unit in field, 9 August 1918. Proceeded to England to attend a Cadet course for the purpose of obtaining a Commission in the C.G.A., 14 September. On 16 September 1918, T.o.S. on Command of C.S.B., Witley. Then, posted to Casualty Company and granted subsidy of 80 cents per diem from 20 January 1919.
Vaughan discharged 6 February 1919. Died 8 February 1982, barely outlived by his eldest brother Duke.
Private Marmaduke Pritchard Pearson
The eldest son, Marmaduke, was the second of the Pearson Brothers to enlist in the Great War. Private Marmaduke ‘Duke’ Pritchard Pearson 89140 was born 14 May 1894 in Kleinburg, Ontario. Duke was a student when he enlisted with the 25th Field Battery, 16 June 1915. Marmaduke stood 5′ 3″ tall, 137 pounds, with fair complexion, blue eyes, and light hair. Duke was Wesleyan. His younger brother Lester, later in life, would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Duke initially served with the 25th Battery, C.F.A. Wounded, and went on to serve with the Royal Navy Air Service (R.N.A.S.).
Service
Landed in England, 18 August 1915. Taken sick at Westenhanger 22 November 1915, sent to Walmer Hospital. Duke complained of severe cough, dizziness, and weakness. In bed two days. Admitted Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Monks Horton, Influenza, 13 December 1915.
Embarked for France, 16 January 1916. Granted leave of absence, Field, 14 December 1916. Rejoined from leave, 27 December 1916. Then on 7 January 1917, Duke wounded, a GSW through his thigh, and taken to Barlin C.C.S. Finally, after nearly a week at the C.C.S., Duke transferred to St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital, Etaples, GSW thigh, 13 January 1917. Invalided to Royal Infirmary Hospital, Sunderland, 17 January 1917. Then, admitted to Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Monks Horton, 28 February 1917, discharged 6 April 1917.
Promotion
Promoted to Temporary Lieutenant 1 July 1917. Transferred to 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion as an Officer, 1 July 1917. Resigns his Temporary Commission on transfer to R.N.A.S. 6 October 1917. Finally, on 28 September 1917, Duke attached to the R.A.F.
Duke married on 3 December 1918 in North Shields, North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, England. He died 13 December 1982, eighty-eight years of age. Duke buried in Section 1, Lot 162 of Prospect Cemetery in Toronto.
Private Lester Bowles Pearson
The youngest son, Lester, was the first to enlist of the Pearson Brothers in the Great War. Private Lester Bowles Pearson 1059 was born 23 April 1897 in Newtonbrook, Ontario. He was a university student, having trained with the C.O.T.C. Lester was a fine athlete, participating and excelling in many sports. Lester enlisted with No. 4 Canadian General Hospital, on 27 April 1915 at Toronto, Ontario – four days before his 18th birthday. He served in the Quartermaster’s Department. Lester stood 5′ 10″ tall, 155 pounds, with fair complexion, green eyes, and dark brown hair. Lester was Wesleyan.
Service
Arrived in England 27 May 1915. Temporary duty, Moore Barracks Hospital, 19 June 1915. After that, he entered the theatre in Greece, as a Stretcher Bearer with the C.A.M.C., 17 October 1915. On 6 September 1916, The Reverend Edwin A. Pearson writes to Sir Sam Hughes, requesting a commission for his son in either the C.A.S.C. or the Artillery. Hughes was the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence. Not surprisingly, Edwin will not have much success on this occasion attempting to alter the path of his son’s service. Perhaps because Hughes sacked in November of 1916.
Appointed Acting Corporal 9 February 1917, and Lester spends some time in Egypt with the Serbian Army. Left Salonika, embarked for England via Marseilles, 8 March 1917. T.o.S. pending appointment to Commission in C.E.F., 27 March 1917. On this occasion, Lester’s service record did not reveal any intervention by his father on his behalf. However, Edwin may have found a sympathetic ear in Canada. Lester is on a course of instruction, as of 7 April 1917.
Sir George Perley
The Reverend Edwin A. Pearson, wrote to Sir George Perley in London on 6 June 1917. Perley was the High Commissioner to the U.K. and Minister of the Overseas Military Forces. Edwin asking for Lester to continue his RAF training in Canada. Edwin added. “P.S. If there is any speedier way by which his unit could be reached than through a letter I shall be glad to meet the expense involved.” Perley wrote back. “I am very sorry not to be able to accede to the request of a family which has given so generously to the Cause.”
Promotion
Promoted to Temporary Lieutenant, The Western Ontario Regiment, 2 August 1917. On 10 October 1917, attached to R.A.F. at Reading. Early in training, Lester has a flight ending in a crash. He is apparently unhurt, physically and mentally. However, it will be weeks before Lester allowed another opportunity to fly.
On 1 December of 1917, Lester crashes again while flying. Shaken up badly, but physically, he appears unhurt. Two days later, knocked down by a motor omnibus, injuring his leg, and has a gash on his head. Knocked unconscious for about 15 minutes. A local doctor provided assistance, and requests payment.
Examined by the C.A.M.C., he feels nervous and excited. He stutters slightly while answering questions during the examination. Pale and is very easily upset by sudden noises and has great difficulty in keeping still. His headaches persist (he has had headaches since childhood). Drowsy during the day, he has trouble sleeping. His lips and facial muscles tremble when he speaks. Of no consequence, Lester has had chronic bronchitis for years.
Neurasthenia (PTSD)
Lester suffering from Neurasthenia (PTSD), and prescribed a minimum of six months rest. However, released from the City of Westminster Infirmary on 30 January 1918, and permanently assigned to ground duties only. Lester continues to have nightmares about flying and crashing. His recovery drags on.
Lester, examined at the E.N.T. clinic of Toronto General Hospital on 5 September 1918. Lester has complained of headaches over the forehead, and nasal obstruction for years. The doctors can do little for him. Given menthal oil spray, 10 September 1918.
Technically, Lester’s last day with the to the R.A.F., 15 April 1919. On his final medical exam, Lester claims he is sleeping much better. Though, he still has nightmares of flying, and has been unable to concentrate on work or sit still during lectures.
Later, reflecting on the war experiences of the Pearson Brothers in the Great War, Lester wrote. “We spent hours trying to get some understanding of what we were being asked to do; to bring some understanding to the senseless slaughter. For what? King and country? Freedom and democracy? These words sounded hollow now and we increasingly rebelled against their hypocrisy.”
Legacy
Lester B. Pearson, the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, awarded the Nobel Prize for resolving the Suez Crisis in 1957. He and former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld are the fathers of modern peacekeeping. During his lifetime, he received Honorary Degrees from 48 different universities.
Pearson Brothers in the Great War
The youngest of the Pearson Brothers in the Great War was the first to die. With chronic headaches since before the Great War, a tumour found behind his right eye in 1970, which ultimately caused his death. He died peacefully at his home on 27 December 1972. Lester lies in MacLaren Cemetery, Wakefield, Quebec.
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