A fine Second War ‘U-Boat Attack’ D.S.M. group of four awarded to Leading Seaman L. E. F. Pearson, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Ldg. Smn. L. E. F. Pearson, P/JX. 256516.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (4) £800-£1,000

D.S.M. London Gazette 6 June 1944:
‘For outstanding leadership, skill and devotion to duty in H.M. Ships ... Dahlia ... in successful actions with U-Boats, while on convoy escort duty in the Atlantic.’

Leslie Ernest Frederick Pearson was born in Fulham, London, in 1910. Confirmed by Seedies Roll, Pearson was serving aboard the Flower-Class corvette Dahlia when his ship carried out an attack on a U-Boat in the Western Approaches on 27 November 1943. A little more information is offered by the Fulham Chronicle on 28 July 1944:

‘Attacked Submarine. Fulham Sailor Awarded D.S.M.
Leading Seaman Leslie Ernest Frederick Pearson, aged 34, whose wife lives in Hurlingham Road, Fulham, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for “outstanding skill and zeal shown in a successful attack carried out on an enemy submarine in defence of an Atlantic convoy in November, 1943.” He is the only son of Mr. Ernest J. Pearson, 33, Burnthwaite-road, Fulham, a van driver. He was educated at Fulham Central School and joined the Navy in 1941.’