Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War O.B.E. group of seven awarded to Acting Wing Commander M. G. Pearson, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, late Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Act. Wg. Cdr. M. G. Pearson. R. Aux. A.F.) mounted as worn, good very fine (7) £300-£400

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2008.

O.B.E. London Gazette 10 June 1954.

Mowbray Grayhurst Pearson was born in Edinburgh on 17 May 1914, and was educated at Cargilfield School, Edinburgh, and Edinburgh University. He was commissioned Pilot Officer in the Administration and Special Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 7 February 1941, being confirmed in that War Substantive rank on 7 February 1942, and was promoted Flight Lieutenant on 3 March 1944. He was appointed to commission as a Flight Lieutenant in the Aircraft Control Branch, Royal Auxiliary Service on 30 May 1948, and continued to serve with that Branch, renamed the Fighter Control Branch, for the remainder of his Royal Auxiliary Air Force service. Promoted Squadron Leader on 9 July 1951, he was awarded his Air Efficiency Award on 25 June 1953 and received the 1953 Coronation Medal as Commanding Officer of No 3603 City of Edinburgh Fighter Control Unit, Royal Air Force. He relinquished command of No 3603 City of Edinburgh Fighter Control Unit on 30 March 1954, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in that year’s Birthday Honours’ list. He finally retired on 30 March 1958.

A long term member of the Royal Meteorological Society, Pearson died in Edinburgh on 25 October 2007, in his 94th year.