Pearson, Joan Daphne Mary

Date of birth:: May 26th, 1911 (Mudeford, Hampshire, Great Britain)
Date of death:: July 25th, 2000 (Melbourne, Australia)
Service number:: 880538
Nationality:: British

Biography

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George Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Corporal
Unit:: Women's Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: July 19th, 1940

Citation:
"On the 31st May, 1940, at 0100 hours an aircraft crashed near the Women's Auxiliary Air Force quarters, the pilot being seriously injured, another officer killed outright and two airmen slightly injured. Upon hearing the crash Corporal Pearson rushed out to it and, although the aircraft was burning and she knew that there were bombs aboard, she stood on the wreckage, roused the pilot, who was stunned, and assisted him in getting clear, releasing his parachute harness in doing so. When he was on the ground about 30 yards away, a 120lb bomb went off. Corporal Pearson at once threw herself on top of the pilot to protect him from blast and splinters. Her prompt and courageous action undoubtedly helped to save the pilot's life."

Defence Medal 1939-1945

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

War Medal 1939-1945

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)