The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. G W Pearson

Geoffrey Wilberforce Pearson was born in Oxford in late 1918, the son of Vivien Wilberforce and Frieda Marion Pearson.

His father was a school teacher and had served in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in the Great War, being commissioned from Sergeant.

GW Pearson joined the RAFVR about December 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 2 FTS Brize Norton on No. 47 Course, which ran from 28th April to 3rd August 1940.

He went to 7 OTU Hawarden on 10th August, converted to Hurricanes and joined 501 Squadron at Kenley on 27th August. He made his first flight on the 29th. During his short time with the squadron he entertained other pilots with playing card tricks.

On 6th September Pearson failed to return from combat over Ashford. His Hurricane, P3516, crashed at Cowleas Farm, Kempton Manor near Hothfield. Pearson, aged 21, was killed.

For reasons unknown he was buried as an Unknown Airman at St. Stephens churchyard, Lympne. In 1982 his sister and brother-in-law, Richard Griffiths, initiated lengthy enquiries that proved that the unknown airman was Pearson and a named headstone was installed.