Casualty Details | CWGC PEARSON, JOHN Rank: Major Service No: 75782 Date of Death: 03/06/1942 Age: 29 Regiment/Service: Reconnaissance Corps, 50th (4th Bn. The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Regt. Grave Reference: 4. E. 2. Cemetery: KNIGHTSBRIDGE WAR CEMETERY, ACROMA Additional Information: Son of Archibald and Isabella Ann Pearson, of Wylam, Northumberland.
* Major John Pearson was the OC 'Z' Coy, 50th Recce Regiment. 50th Recce Regiment was the rebadged 4th Bn Royal Northumberland Fusliers. Historically a 50th (Northumbrian) Division unit, it had served with the Division in Flanders/France in 1940 and travelled with it to North Africa in 1941. However, it had transferred permanently to 22nd Armoured Brigade on around 16 February 1942. 'Z' Coy was overrun by the DAK (21st Panzer Division) in the Cauldron Battles at Bir El Harmat on 27 May 1942. Major Pearson is not referred to in the Regimental History - The History Of The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in the Second World War (Barclay) - as a survivor of that action, but I note that he is said to have died on 3 June 1942, a week later. Maybe misreported, maybe died of wounds, maybe survived and killed later?!? Strangely he is not included in the Roll Of Honour in the aforementioned Regimental History. Major Pearson's parents lived in Wylam, Northumberland. George Stevenson of 'Stevenson's Rocket' fame and the father of the railways, was born and raised there. I used to live in the village next door; Horsley...
Just for info: John Pearson in the UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 Name: John Pearson Given Initials: J Rank: Major Death Date: 27 May 1942 Number: 75782 Birth Place: Newcastle-on-Tyne Residence: Northumberland Regiment at Enlistment: Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (Recce) RAC Branch at Enlistment: Royal Armoured Corps Theatre of War: Middle East Regiment at Death: Reconnaissance Corps Branch at Death: Royal Armoured Corps TD
* Thanks for that TD. I wonder why there is a disparity in the date of death between: Army RoH and CWGC? I believe that the Army RoH is most likely correct... Best, Steve.
Steve I had a look and noted the difference so I thought it might be of interest - to you in this case - to see that difference especially when you wrote in post 2: "but I note that he is said to have died on 3 June 1942, a week later. Maybe misreported, maybe died of wounds, maybe survived and killed later?!?" TD
* Good find Guy. You have managed to change a few facts to something tangible. Close House is in the area between Wylam and Heddon on the Wall to the east (reference to Hadrian's Wall). I have relatives that live at the latter village. I used to live in the next village to the west of Wylam; Horsley. Rocklife Rugby Club is at/near Whitley Bay. I played against them on Tour about 25 years ago now; never played against them when I lived up there. Best, Steve.