Born in Wallaceburg, ON.,12/04/1923, the son of James and Jean (nee Milligan) Pearson of 308 Creek St., Wallaceburg, ON., brother of Anne  (Trampleasure), William, Margaret (Furguson), James Jr. (served in Korea) and Douglas. His father served in the Great War. CDN Aug. 44  

Robert enlisted in the Army at the age of 19 years old. He trained at Ipperwash and Stratford before going overseas in 1943 with the Highland Light Infantry Regt. While in England he undertook strenuous training and amphibious landing training in the cold waters of Scotland.

While at Eldershot in England his unit was visited by General Bernard Montgomery there to speak to the troops prior to the D-Day invasion that was near to launching. The General said to the troops: “you do know what is ahead of you, but do your best, and you will change the world.” Of course they could hardly imagine what was to confront them on the beaches of Normandy. Three days before boarding ship Bob was given a series of shots that he reacted to and his Sergeant had to carry his rifle for him as they boarded the LCI (Landing Craft Infantry).

There were many ‘ideas’ of what would be needed on such a vast undertaking as the invasion of Europe one was to equip troops with bicycles. This ‘idea’ perhaps came from the experiences at Dieppe in 1942 when the troops became stuck on the beach. This time with the bikes troops could leave the beach quickly and bike to the front. The Germans had other ideas and most of the bikes never left Juno beach.

Robert served in the attack on Juno Beach, Normandy, France 6 June, 1944 as part of the D-Day Allied invasion of western Europe.  He had served overseas for three years. He served at the front from D-Day to the battle of Caen. It was then that he developed a severe case of pleurisy and complications that appeared later.

The WN 28/06/45 reported that Robert was returned to Wallaceburg from his hospital the Byron Sanitarium [officially the “Queen Alexandra Sanitarium that opened 5 Apr., 1910; renamed the Beck Memorial Sanitarium it closed in 1972] where he had been since being returned to Canada via hospital ship and hospital train in September of 1944. Robert returned to Byron the evening he arrived. He was still being treated which meant continuing his hospitalization.

Pleurisy is a complication of several different medical conditions, but the most common cause is a viral infection of the lungs spreading to the pleural cavity. Other causes of pleurisy include: Bacterial infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. A chest wound that punctures the pleural cavity.

After the war Robert was hospitalized in London, ON., recovering from Tuberculosis, after recovering he returned to Wallaceburg, working at the Dominion Glass Co. as a labourer. Later he would become a custodian with the Kent County School Board, where he would retire. He then moved to Courtice, ON..

Robert passed away at Lakeridge Hospital, Bowmanville, ON. on 9 May 2010 at the age of 87.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

B. Pearson, son (15-11-2013), Wallaceburg Roll of Honour

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