John Pearson (VC)
John Pearson VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
John Pearson was born 19 January 1825 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. He married Selina Smart in the General Baptist Church in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England on 6 April 1851. He was aged 25 and was a private in the 8th Hussars, living in the barracks in Trowbridge, the son of Stephen Pearson, a gardener. Selina Smart is shown as age 20, a spinner, a feeder by profession, living on Stallard Street, daughter of Edward Smart, a spinner.He was 33 years old and a private in the 8th Hussars (The King's Royal Irish), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place:
On 17 June 1858 at Gwalior, British India, Pearson took part in a charge by a squadron of the 8th Hussars. Four men in this action, Pearson, Clement Walker Heneage, Joseph Ward, and George Hollis were awarded the Victoria Cross, the joint citation reading as follows: