Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Great War and North Russia M.C. and Bar group of three awarded to Captain A. C. Pearse, Middlesex Regiment and Royal Fusiliers
Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse of the cross inscribed ‘Arleux 25th August 1918 Kodema 8th Sept. 1919’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.) nearly extremely fine (3)

M.C. London Gazette 2 December, 1918. The following details are taken from an illuminated two page account of his M.C. recommendation sold with the group: ‘Alister Cullen Pearse, Lieutenant, 2nd Battn. The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) Arleux, August, 1918. This officer conducted a series of extremely daring and valuable daylight patrols during the recent taking of a portion of the German front line system.
On 25th August, 1918, he crossed No Man’s Land, and, entering the enemy’s front line, discovered an unoccupied nightpost from which he took the order board. Later that day he took out a party to capture the garrison of the post as it arrived, but the Germans became aware of his presence in the semi-darkness and ran away.
The following day after our first post had been established in the German front line this officer, displaying the utmost coolness and bravery, worked along the trench in a southerly direction until he came to a German sentry post. He shot the sentry and the remainder fled, whereupon he established a British post there.
The next day he worked on towards the enemy second line until he came across a German block. This he crossed and came in contact with the enemy’s sentry post. In the bombing encounter which ensued, Lt. Pearse used all his grenades but four, and promptly sent back for a Platoon to come up with bombs and to establish a post. Just before the Platoon arrived the enemy attacked in great force, throwing many bombs. Lt. Pearse threw what grenades he had left and withdrew, soon being driven on to the reinforcing Platoon. This Platoon had not got its grenades ready for immediate use, and the Germans, being close, inflicted some casualties. In the ensuing confusion Lt. Pearse seized a rifle and bayonet, and, in spite of a shower of German grenades and the hastily aimed pistol shots of the advancing enemy, gallantly held the Germans at bay, accounting for at least two of the foremost.
Meanwhile the reinforcing Platoon was reorganised, the wounded were conveyed to a place of safety, and with the assistance of the Stoke Mortars the enemy was driven back to his old position. Lt. Pearse on this occasion displayed the utmost coolness, and courage of the very highest order. Had it not been for his presence of mind, and prompt action, combined with complete indifference to his personal safety, our casualties undoubtedly would have been very severe, and in all probability the enemy would have regained a strong foothold on a most important position.’
Bar to M.C. London Gazette 21 January, 1920 (Archangel, North Russia): Captain, attached 45th battalion, Royal Fusiliers. ‘Capt. Pearse was in charge of the raid carried out on Kodema, on Sept. 8th. This officers knowledge of the ground and the skill with which he led the party was largely responsible for the success of the raid. His cool handling of his Platoon in outflanking the enemy in the counter-attack on the same morning was the principal cause of the heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy. He led his men with the greatest dash on both occasions. During the whole operations this officer set a fine example by the cheerful manner in which he executed all orders under somewhat trying conditions.’