Captain Robert Pearson, of the Y.M.C.A., severely wounded in action during the Battle of Courcelette on 8 September 1916. With a bullet still remaining in his thorax, Pearson returned to the Y.M.C.A. He also served with the 49th, 28th and 31st Battalions. He returned for a short visit to Canada in early 1918, and spoke to the Alberta Legislature.
Early Life
Born 18 May 1879 in Ethel, Huron County, Ontario. A Methodist with prior training in cadets and militia training with the 103rd Regiment. Pearson married to Beula Phoebe Pearson and had one child – Marion Elisabeth aged 19 months upon his enlistment. Pearson was a commanding figure at 6’2″ and 240 lbs. He served as General Secretary of the YMCA in Calgary, Alberta.
Enlistment
Pearson enlisted with 89th Canadian Infantry Battalion as a Lieutenant, 4 November 1915 in Calgary, Alberta. He continued to serve as the General Secretary of the Y.M.C.A., and with the Canadian Training Depot.
Promoted Captain in the 89th Battalion, CEF, 12 May 1916. Unit sailed from Halifax on 31 May 1916. Arrived aboard SS OLYMPIC Liverpool 8 June 1916.
49th Battalion
Captain Robert Pearson entered France on 22 June 1916 with 49th Battalion.
Battle of Courcelette
On 18 September 1916, relieved in the line by the 9th Brigade, five officers killed. Captain Robert Pearson among twelve other officers wounded. Thirty-eight Other Ranks killed, 179 wounded and 19 missing. A total of 253 casualties for the battalion.
Captain Robert Pearson admitted to No. 14 General Hospital in Boulogne on 18 September 1916 with a GSW to the head and leg (slight). Two days later, found at 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill. Injury stated as a penetrating GSW to the left chest. Discharged 10 November 1916, fully recovered, though the bullet remained in his thorax.
Y.M.C.A.
Captain Pearson attached to Y.M.C.A., Witley Camp, 2 January 1917. Ceases to be on General List on transfer to Chaplain Services, to be Honorary Captain.
28th Battalion
Captain Pearson once again proceeded overseas, posted to 28th Canadian Battalion, 19 February 1917.
31st Battalion
Captain Robert Pearson now attached to 31st Canadian Battalion, 1 July 1917.
18th Battalion Sports Field, Villers-au-Bois
Captain Robert Pearson spent several days at the at a Canadian sports meeting in September 1917. Held on the 18th Battalion Sports Field, near Villers-au-Bois, west of Vimy.
Alberta Legislature
Captain Robert Pearson sailed to Canada on leave for Session of the Alberta Legislature, 2 January 1918. Returned to France for his third tour of duty on 12 July 1918.
On 15 September 1918, from YMCA, Temporary Captain with 31st Battalion, and sent to No. 9 Canadian Area Employment Company.
Alberta Regiment
On 7 November 1918, posted to the Alberta Regiment as Temporary Captain. Pearson posted to Casualty Company, Calgary, 9 January 1919. Struck-off-Strength on 9 February 1919.
Date of Death
Pearson died 3 June 1957 in Vancouver, B.C. Survived by his daughter Mrs. Marion Elisabeth Tinnell of 2855 West 30th Av, Vancouver, B.C.
More Canadian Chaplains
Major George Anderson Wells, CMG, DD in the Great War
Captain William Henry Davis MC in the Great War
Bishop Michael Francis Fallon in the Great War
Honorary Captain Charles Valentine Lester in the Great War
More
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