John Pearson (VC)

John Pearson was born 19 January 1825 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. He married Selina Smart in the General Baptist Church in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England on 6 April 1851. He was aged 25 and was a private in the 8th Hussars, living in the barracks in Trowbridge, the son of Stephen Pearson, a gardener. Selina Smart is shown as age 20, a spinner, a feeder by profession, living on Stallard Street, daughter of Edward Smart, a spinner.

He was 33 years old and a private in the 8th Hussars (The King's Royal Irish), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:

On 17 June 1858 at Gwalior, India, Pearson - together with Sergeant Joseph Ward, Farrier George Hollis and Captain Clement Walker Heneage - was in a charge made by a squadron of the 8th Hussars. His citation reads:

8th Hussars

Selected for the Victoria Cross by their companions in the gallant charge made by a squadron of the Regiment at Gwalior, on the 17th of June, 1858, when, supported by a division of the Bombay Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty's 95th Regiment, they routed the enemy, who were advancing against Brigadier Smith's position, charged through the rebel camp into two batteries, capturing and bringing into their camp two of the enemy's guns, under a heavy and converging fire from the Fort and Town.

(Field Force Orders by Major-General Sir Hugh Henry Rose, G.C.B., Commanding Central India Field Force, dated Camp, Gwalior, 28th June, 1858.[1]

He later achieved the rank of sergeant with the 19th Hussars and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He died on 18 April 1892 in Lion's Head, Eastnor Township, Bruce County, Ontario after emigrating to Canada.[2]

His VC was auctioned by Morton & Eden Ltd of London on 23 November 2004 and is now on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.

• Biography of John Pearson
• Burial location of John Pearson "Ontario"
• John Pearson at Find a Grave