The Collection of Medals to the Tank Corps formed by the late Bill Green

An exceptional Great War ‘Cambrai’ D.S.O group of three awarded to Major A. G. Pearson, No. 23 Company, ‘H’ Battalion, Tank Corps, for the successful attack on Fontaine Village on 21 November 1917

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major); together with original warrant for D.S.O., this giving unit as ‘Royal Berkshire Regiment, Special Reserve, and ‘H’ Battalion, Tank Corps’, the medals contained in a contemporary fitted case, some minor damage to wreaths on first, otherwise very fine (3) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Tank Corps formed by the late Bill Green.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 8 February 1918. The recommendation states ‘From La Justice Farm on 21 November 1917, this officer, in command of No.23 Company, ‘H’ Battalion, Tank Corps, launched an attack with his eight tanks on Fontaine Village. In spite of the fact that all these tanks had been in action the previous day, this officer, by his energy, initiative, and devotion to duty, succeeded in organising his company for the attack.

As the orders for the attack were received only one hour before zero, close liason with the infantry, was practically impossible. Major A. G. Pearson, therefore, launched the attack himself, clearing the situation west of cantaing, and his tanks then entered Fontaine, where they held on till the infantry arrived about an hour later and established themselves in the village. Major Pearson then rallied his company and brought the tanks safely out of action.

Major Pearson also launched his company into action on 20 November with exceptionally good results.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 25 May 1918.

The following information relating to the action of 21 November 1917 is extracted from copied research included with the lot: ‘Early on the morning of the 21st, orders were received for 24th Company to join a Composite Battalion from the 2nd Brigade under the command of Colonel Bryce for operations against the Containg-Fontaine Line, and Major Pearson at once moved forward his tanks to a spot about 1,000 yards N.E. of Flesquieres. The infantry of the 154th Brigade had been held up by machine gun fire and uncut wire on the western outskirts of Containg Village, and until the arrival of the tanks, were unable to make further progress.

The appearance at 3:30p.m. of 6 tanks of 24th Company at once brought relief to the harassed Gordon Highlanders, who were attacking this position. The enemy’s machine guns were quickly silenced and the Germans retired in Great disorder, leaving a large number of prisoners in the hands of their assailants. A large trench mortar firing from a concrete emplacement in Containg Mill, was put out of action by the tanks, which then proceeded to clear out the village itself. On the northern edge a trench full of the enemy was effectually dealt with, the garrison retreating hastily under heavy fire from the guns of the pursuing tanks.’

Major Algernon George Pearson was born on 28 June 1889 and was educated at Uppingham and Trinity College, Cambridge. He received a University commission into the Royal Berkshire Regiment in 1911 before transferring to the Special Reserve in 1913. During the Great War he was attached to the Tank Corps from 21 August 1917, serving on the Staff as Staff Captain, H.Q. Tank Corps, from 16 April 1918. He served overseas in France and Belgium from 3 March 1917 to 17 March 1917 and 21 August 1917 to 11 November 1918.

Sold with a copied group photograph of the officers of ‘H’ Battalion, Tank Corps, which includes Major Pearson.