Denis Craven Pearson
Person details
| Forename(s) | Denis Craven |
|---|---|
| Surname | Pearson |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Regiment | The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) |
| Age | 20 |
| Death | Killed on active service |
| Place of Death | Western Europe > Belgium > Petegem |
| Date of Death | 21/05/1940 |
| Year of Entry | 1934 |
| House Letter | F |
| School Notes | - |
| Comments |
"The 2nd Buffs counter-attacked at three o'clock in the morning, but failed to eject them. The 1st/5th Queen's were more successful, and by half-past seven Petegem was clear again. But in the afternoon the enemy returned to the attack. ... what remained of the 2nd Buffs, the 1st/5th and 1st/6th Queen's withdrew to positions in the rear." http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-6.html |
| Commonwealth War Graves Commission Link | https://www.cwgc.org/find-record... |
| Unit | |
| Prefect | House Prefect |
| Military Decorations | |
| Album Number | 23 |
| Battle | Defence of the Escaut |
| Previous Regiment | |
| Burial or Cemetery | Belgium > Esquelmes |
| Citations | |
| Archives | Correspondence file in OR files in Radley Archives |
| Post School | Sandhurst |
| Prep School | King's Mead, Sussex |
| Prisoner of War | |
| Radlein Obituary |
June 16 1940. In May, 1940, on active service in Flanders, Denis Craven Pearson. He was at Radley (Mr. Hedgecock's, F) from 1934-1938. On leaving he passed into RMC., Sandhurst, and was gazetted to the Buffs in 1939. We were very grieved when the report reached us that Denis Pearson had been killed in France. Two years ago he was still with us, preparing for the June Sandhurst Examination. He passed out from there last year, and was gazetted to the Buffs, and so he was in the last batch of Radleians to join the Regular Army before the present hostilities commenced. As a boy he was quiet, undemonstrative. but with a strong will of his own. He inherited a spirit of determination in games, and a seriousness of purpose in life. which developed as he grew up. Deciding to adopt the Army as his profession, he set to work to force his way through six forms in three years, and gain his School Certificate. This gave him twelve months in which to prepare for the Sandhurst Entrance Examination. during which time he worked most conscientiously to gain as high a place in the list as he could manage. In the same way he persevered with his games. and. although he only reached 2nd Rugger XV, 2nd Hockey XV and the 3rd XI in the School teams, he put in valiant work. and materially contributed to the fortunes of his side. He was a House Prefect and triple House Captain. and he showed those qualities of leadership which gave him the confidence and support of all members of his house. We, who knew him more intimately, saw the sterling character under the well-mannered, slightly reserved exterior, and it is terribly sad to think that his work is done. He had high ideals of duty and uprightness, and, for these, and for his love for us, he has given his young life. |
| Service Number | 95577 |
| Place of Birth |
