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 1st September, 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 was posted to 238 Squadron at Chilbolton on 28th September 1940.

Above image taken from a group shot of 238 Squadron at Chilbolton in 1941 (Pearson second left)

After being damaged by Me109’s over Bournemouth on 5th November 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 29th November 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 29th May 1942, aged 21.

His Hurricane IIC BM991 was shot down by Me109's on a sweep in the El Adem-Acroma-Bir Hacheim area.

His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial.

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