The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. P Pearson

Philip Pearson, of Saffron Walden, Essex, joined the RAFVR about June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on September 1st he completed his training and arrived at 6 OTU, Sutton Bridge in early September 1940. On the 14th Pearson crashed on the aerodrome there when the undercarriage of Hurricane N2479 collapsed in a heavy landing. He was unhurt and after converting to Hurricanes, he was posted to 238 Squadron at Chilbolton on September 28th 1940. After being damaged by Me109’s over Bournemouth on November 5th Pearson made a forced-landing at Sturminster in Hurricane P2983. He was slightly injured and was admitted to Shaftesbury Hospital.The squadron went to the Middle East in May 1941 and became fully operational with Hurricane IIc’s in October. On November 29th Pearson probably destroyed a Fiat G50 and shared another. He was commissioned in January 1942 and posted to 80 Squadron at El Adem. Pearson was killed on May 29th 1942, aged 21. He is remembered on the Alamein Memorial.

Photographs courtesy of Colonel C R Romberg RA, British Embassy Cairo