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  #1  
Old 18-07-17, 06:52 PM
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Default A MAN, HIS BADGES AND MEDALS

Good Morning Everyone......

It is very seldom that you are able to obtain a set of badges that were worn by the same man who wore the medals..... As primarily a medal collector I have often put badges of the regiment with the named medals.... I was lucky enough to obtain the following and I thought you might enjoy them..... I would now love to be able to find a photo of Colonel Pearson......

Mike



Colonel Maurice Grey Pearson, O.B.E. (M), MB. B.Sc. (Lon.), F.R.C.S. (Eng.)

MRCS 9 May 1895; FRCS 9 December 1897; BSc London 1892;
MB 1895; LRCP 1895.



OFFICER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MILITARY)
QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL – 39 Pte. M. Pearson, Alicedale T.G.
NATAL REBELLION MEDAL WITH 1906 BAR – CPT. M. G. Pearson, Natal Medical Corps
1914-1915 STAR – MJR. M. G. Pearson, S.A.M.C.
BRITISH WAR MEDAL – MJR M. G. Pearson, S.A.M.C.
INTERALLIED VICTORY MEDAL with M.I.D. - MJR M. G. PEARSON S.A.M.C.
BRITISH WAR MEDAL – Un-Named
AFRICA SERVICE MEDAL - Un-Named

Born - 20 March 1872
Died - 13 May 1952
Occupation - General surgeon and Orthopaedic Surgeon

Details

Born on 20 March 1872, the third child and second son of William George Pearson, civil engineer, and his wife Emma Hind, he was educated at University College School and St Bartholomew's Hospital, where he won the Harvey prize and served as house surgeon and ophthalmic house surgeon. He graduated in science in 1892 and qualified in 1895 with honours in forensic medicine.

After serving as House Surgeon, and also as Ophthalmic House Surgeon at St. Bartholomew's, he obtained the F.R.C.S. (Eng.).

He emigrated to South Africa in 1900, settling in Alicedale Cape Province and served as District Surgeon and Railway Medical Officer. He served in the Alicedale Town Guard as 39 Private M. G. Pearson as there were no Officer positions available and he still wished to serve.

After the war in 1902 he joined W Addison at Durban, where he carried on a large general practice including surgery and ophthalmology for the rest of his career.

In 1903 Joined Natal Medical Corps as Lieutenant, promoted Captain and appointed Adjutant of the Durban Company. During the 1906 Natal Native Rebellion, awarded the Medal and 1906 Bar, after the rebellion in 1907 he was posted to the Reserve of Officers with rank of Major.

In 1914 – 1915 German South West Campaign, in the rank of Major. Appointed Surgeon Specialist to Berrange's Column (Eastern Force). He was also awarded an MID. When the campaign was over in South West Africa he took charge of the Surgical Division of the South African Military Hospital Unit which went overseas and stationed at Abbeville France. While in France he was appalled at the high mortality rate from compound fractures of the femur. With his characteristic thoroughness and determination he set about devising ways and means of dealing with this widespread problem. He worked under the most adverse conditions, and evolved a method of transportation and treatment of fractured femur which made his name well known throughout the Commonwealth. England and America.

His work was acclaimed on all sides and for this he was mentioned in dispatches. He made his mark, with the support of his friends Sir Anthony Bowlby and Sir Robert Jones, by promoting a great improvement in the treatment of compound fractures of the femur, successfully reducing the excessive mortality, and was later given charge of the 1000 bed "femur hospital" at Edmonton,London, England. Pearson's method attracted the admiration of American orthopaedic surgeons, and he published a record of his work.

The magnificent results obtained were a revelation, and compared very favourably with those of modern orthopaedic surgeons. This hospital was a Mecca of surgeons of all the Armed Forces. including Americans. It is of interest that a recent American textbook of surgery gives in detail the methods Dr. Pearson used. After the war Dr. Pearson returned to Durban to resume practice, which rapidly became more than he could manage.

Because of this work he was mentioned in dispatches, created Office of the Order of the British Empire in the military division, and promoted brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.

He took the late Dr. A. D. Edington into partnership and later his son Lawrence joined him. Dr. Pearson retired in 1936, but in 1940 again joined the partnership (without remuneration), to enable his son to join the S.A.M.C. in World War 2.

Dr. Maurice Pearson took on part-time military duties, and was Lieutenant-Colonel in charge of auxiliary hospitals in the Durban area. He was a past President of the Natal Coastal Branch of the Medical Association of South Africa, and past President of the South African Medical Congress held in Durban.

In September 1937 he was awarded a patent for a special folding stretcher to be used in emergency medical situations where transportation is required that came about after being present and treating the casualties at the Kynoch's Dynamite Factory in Natal. This metal stretcher was cheap, fool-proof, indestructible, folds compactly and is light. It does away with vertical vibration and almost abolishes longitudinal or lateral jerks. Could be used in Vans, Open or Closed Raliway Trucks and in the backs of Motor Vehicle Trucks and not be required to be fixed to the floor. This stretcher was taken up by the South African and various Commonwealth Governments.

He was the most senior officer and a past Colonel of the 1st Field Ambulance, S.A.M.C., in Durban.

Dr. Pearson was Senior Visiting Surgeon at the Addington Hospital from 1927-1936. When Dr. Pearson retired in 1936 he was appointed Consulting Surgeon to Addington Hospital, a post which he occupied until he died. He was a past Chairman of the Natal Cripple Care Association, and a past Chairman of the Natal Radium Trust Fund--a fund which he helped to organize, and for which he raised a considerable amount of money.

Dr. Pearson was noted for his integrity, a wonderful capacity for friendship and kindness, often providing shelter for human derelicts. It is safe to say he had no enemies and was much loved by his patients and professional colleagues.

Dr. Pearson died as he would have wished, suddenly. in his lovely home, which he designed, built and loved so well. He married Miss Agnes Hunter, a nurse at St. Bartholomew's Hospital by whom he had one son. His wife died in 1942. Later he married Miss Dorothy Ballam who survives him.

Colonel Pearson died in May of 1952 at the age of 80.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSC01572.jpg (44.5 KB, 210 views)
File Type: jpg DSC01575.JPG (95.3 KB, 39 views)
File Type: jpg DSC01576.JPG (82.2 KB, 30 views)
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  #2  
Old 18-07-17, 09:04 PM
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Wow......amazing 😮😮
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Old 18-07-17, 09:13 PM
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Strewth !!!
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Old 18-07-17, 09:18 PM
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Hi Mike,

Truly and astonishing group, a joy to see - and read.

Cheerio,

Roy
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Old 18-07-17, 09:40 PM
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That is rather impressive.
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Old 18-07-17, 11:33 PM
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Mike,
lovely to see the badge, medals and history together, thanks for sharing these with us. It might be purely coincidence but do a Google search using the gentleman`s full name but not his rank. I came up with this gentleman though not in uniform. Not an official source but there are a few photographs on the MyHeritage website for this guy, same year of birth and same year of death. https://familia.evemor.com/FP/geneal...origin=profile
Could not gain access to all the images as you need to be a member though did manage to get the image from google images, attached. Photo has his initials and surname on the top of the picture but the website does give his name in full.
Hopefully this is your guy.

Cheers, Dave
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Old 18-07-17, 11:46 PM
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Thank You to All for the Kind Comments.....

Hi Dave.....

Thanks and Yes I have seen the pictures in/on google I am looking for a picture of him in Uniform with his medals or ribbons..... He was so famous in South Africa that I am sure that there may be some in the South African Archives, News Paper Archives etc..... I have someone looking..... Again thanks for taking the time to look in google......

Mike

P.S. I am working on another frame only this time Canadian RCR's .......
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Old 19-07-17, 03:30 AM
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Excellent group Mike and thanks for showing. This is just up my collecting alley.

I will go through my small collection of SA Medical Corps photographs to see if I have a picture of Pearson in uniform. May take a while as pictures not named but I will try to match facial features to the picture you posted.

On another note, the 'WWI' SA Medical badge with slider is a known 1970's copy of the original. The original ones were actually collar badges on lugs and later used as a cap in the early 1920's. These slidered versions are all copies and can be found on ebay in there numbers. It appears someone may have added it to the collection at some point.

Regards
Steven
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  #9  
Old 19-07-17, 04:50 AM
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Thanks Steven......

This group came from SA so therefore I am not really surprised about the badge, thank god I am really a Medal collector and I know that they are correct and I was able to get everything for a reasonable price..... In all the documentation that came with the group there is a letter asking about a Long Service medal but it was written a few days before he died.... Thank you also for the offer of looking in your pictures..... The funny thing is my family Dr. is from SA and though he did not know Pearson, he had heard of him.....

Thanks Again.....

Mike
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Old 19-07-17, 12:22 PM
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That is a stunning group and with the Natal 1906, perfect for my collection . Very nice, thanks for showing them!
Cheers,
Alex
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  #11  
Old 19-07-17, 01:56 PM
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Some SA Medical Corps Officers serving with the SAI Brigade in France and at their hospital at Richmond often worn the very handsome OSD bronze badge on blades made by Firmin.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Milmed View Post

On another note, the 'WWI' SA Medical badge with slider is a known 1970's copy of the original. The original ones were actually collar badges on lugs and later used as a cap in the early 1920's. These slidered versions are all copies and can be found on ebay in there numbers. It appears someone may have added it to the collection at some point.

Regards
Steven
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  #12  
Old 19-07-17, 01:57 PM
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Interesting to see mention of his partner, Dr. A. D. Edington. Dr Edington's son, who was also a doctor in Durban, gave me his dad's Wolsley foreign service helmet with Natal Medical Corps badge on it. The helmet fell apart years ago, though I still have the badge
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  #13  
Old 19-07-17, 01:58 PM
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A lovely group, Mike.


Quote:
Originally Posted by QSAMIKE View Post
Good Morning Everyone......

It is very seldom that you are able to obtain a set of badges that were worn by the same man who wore the medals..... As primarily a medal collector I have often put badges of the regiment with the named medals.... I was lucky enough to obtain the following and I thought you might enjoy them..... I would now love to be able to find a photo of Colonel Pearson......

Mike



Colonel Maurice Grey Pearson, O.B.E. (M), MB. B.Sc. (Lon.), F.R.C.S. (Eng.)

MRCS 9 May 1895; FRCS 9 December 1897; BSc London 1892;
MB 1895; LRCP 1895.



OFFICER ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MILITARY)
QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL – 39 Pte. M. Pearson, Alicedale T.G.
NATAL REBELLION MEDAL WITH 1906 BAR – CPT. M. G. Pearson, Natal Medical Corps
1914-1915 STAR – MJR. M. G. Pearson, S.A.M.C.
BRITISH WAR MEDAL – MJR M. G. Pearson, S.A.M.C.
INTERALLIED VICTORY MEDAL with M.I.D. - MJR M. G. PEARSON S.A.M.C.
BRITISH WAR MEDAL – Un-Named
AFRICA SERVICE MEDAL - Un-Named

Born - 20 March 1872
Died - 13 May 1952
Occupation - General surgeon and Orthopaedic Surgeon

Details

Born on 20 March 1872, the third child and second son of William George Pearson, civil engineer, and his wife Emma Hind, he was educated at University College School and St Bartholomew's Hospital, where he won the Harvey prize and served as house surgeon and ophthalmic house surgeon. He graduated in science in 1892 and qualified in 1895 with honours in forensic medicine.

After serving as House Surgeon, and also as Ophthalmic House Surgeon at St. Bartholomew's, he obtained the F.R.C.S. (Eng.).

He emigrated to South Africa in 1900, settling in Alicedale Cape Province and served as District Surgeon and Railway Medical Officer. He served in the Alicedale Town Guard as 39 Private M. G. Pearson as there were no Officer positions available and he still wished to serve.

After the war in 1902 he joined W Addison at Durban, where he carried on a large general practice including surgery and ophthalmology for the rest of his career.

In 1903 Joined Natal Medical Corps as Lieutenant, promoted Captain and appointed Adjutant of the Durban Company. During the 1906 Natal Native Rebellion, awarded the Medal and 1906 Bar, after the rebellion in 1907 he was posted to the Reserve of Officers with rank of Major.

In 1914 – 1915 German South West Campaign, in the rank of Major. Appointed Surgeon Specialist to Berrange's Column (Eastern Force). He was also awarded an MID. When the campaign was over in South West Africa he took charge of the Surgical Division of the South African Military Hospital Unit which went overseas and stationed at Abbeville France. While in France he was appalled at the high mortality rate from compound fractures of the femur. With his characteristic thoroughness and determination he set about devising ways and means of dealing with this widespread problem. He worked under the most adverse conditions, and evolved a method of transportation and treatment of fractured femur which made his name well known throughout the Commonwealth. England and America.

His work was acclaimed on all sides and for this he was mentioned in dispatches. He made his mark, with the support of his friends Sir Anthony Bowlby and Sir Robert Jones, by promoting a great improvement in the treatment of compound fractures of the femur, successfully reducing the excessive mortality, and was later given charge of the 1000 bed "femur hospital" at Edmonton,London, England. Pearson's method attracted the admiration of American orthopaedic surgeons, and he published a record of his work.

The magnificent results obtained were a revelation, and compared very favourably with those of modern orthopaedic surgeons. This hospital was a Mecca of surgeons of all the Armed Forces. including Americans. It is of interest that a recent American textbook of surgery gives in detail the methods Dr. Pearson used. After the war Dr. Pearson returned to Durban to resume practice, which rapidly became more than he could manage.

Because of this work he was mentioned in dispatches, created Office of the Order of the British Empire in the military division, and promoted brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.

He took the late Dr. A. D. Edington into partnership and later his son Lawrence joined him. Dr. Pearson retired in 1936, but in 1940 again joined the partnership (without remuneration), to enable his son to join the S.A.M.C. in World War 2.

Dr. Maurice Pearson took on part-time military duties, and was Lieutenant-Colonel in charge of auxiliary hospitals in the Durban area. He was a past President of the Natal Coastal Branch of the Medical Association of South Africa, and past President of the South African Medical Congress held in Durban.

In September 1937 he was awarded a patent for a special folding stretcher to be used in emergency medical situations where transportation is required that came about after being present and treating the casualties at the Kynoch's Dynamite Factory in Natal. This metal stretcher was cheap, fool-proof, indestructible, folds compactly and is light. It does away with vertical vibration and almost abolishes longitudinal or lateral jerks. Could be used in Vans, Open or Closed Raliway Trucks and in the backs of Motor Vehicle Trucks and not be required to be fixed to the floor. This stretcher was taken up by the South African and various Commonwealth Governments.

He was the most senior officer and a past Colonel of the 1st Field Ambulance, S.A.M.C., in Durban.

Dr. Pearson was Senior Visiting Surgeon at the Addington Hospital from 1927-1936. When Dr. Pearson retired in 1936 he was appointed Consulting Surgeon to Addington Hospital, a post which he occupied until he died. He was a past Chairman of the Natal Cripple Care Association, and a past Chairman of the Natal Radium Trust Fund--a fund which he helped to organize, and for which he raised a considerable amount of money.

Dr. Pearson was noted for his integrity, a wonderful capacity for friendship and kindness, often providing shelter for human derelicts. It is safe to say he had no enemies and was much loved by his patients and professional colleagues.

Dr. Pearson died as he would have wished, suddenly. in his lovely home, which he designed, built and loved so well. He married Miss Agnes Hunter, a nurse at St. Bartholomew's Hospital by whom he had one son. His wife died in 1942. Later he married Miss Dorothy Ballam who survives him.

Colonel Pearson died in May of 1952 at the age of 80.

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  #14  
Old 19-07-17, 07:44 PM
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Very nice, well done thanks for sharing.
Andy
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  #15  
Old 19-07-17, 11:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Milmed

On another note, the 'WWI' SA Medical badge with slider is a known 1970's copy of the original. The original ones were actually collar badges on lugs and later used as a cap in the early 1920's. These slidered versions are all copies and can be found on ebay in there numbers. It appears someone may have added it to the collection at some point.

Regards
Steven

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Kelley View Post
Some SA Medical Corps Officers serving with the SAI Brigade in France and at their hospital at Richmond often worn the very handsome OSD bronze badge on blades made by Firmin.
Hi Frank.......

On the side of the slider is a very little letter "F" stamped on the side......

I tried to take a photo but as I enlarged it, it was to blurry to see.....

Mike
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