PEARSE, HUGH WODEHOUSE, Brevet
Lieutenant Colonel, was born 13 August 1855, son of Reverend Robert W Pearse
and Mrs Robert Pearse. He joined the 70th Foot 11 February 1875, as
Sub-Lieutenant, becoming Lieutenant, East Surrey Regiment, 11 February 1875;
served in the Afghan War, 1879-80 (Medal); was DACG, Commissariat and
Transport Staff, from 13 August 1881; was promoted to Captain 30 June 1883;
was Adjutant, Volunteers, 15 January 1889 to 13 January 1894; became Major,
12 July 1892. He served in the South African War from 1899 to 1902, being
present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso;
operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of
5 to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela
Heights, and action at Pieter's Hill. He was in command of the 2nd
Battalion East Surrey Regiment 23 February to 1 May 1900, and 1 July 1900 to
31 May 1902; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902;
operations in Orange River Colony, May 1901. Major Pearse was mentioned in
Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February and 29 July 1902]; was given the
Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 29 November 1900; received the Queen's Medal
with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September
1901]: "Hugh Wodehouse Pearse, Major and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel, East
Surrey Regiment. In recognition of services during the
operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to Lord Kitchener in
South Africa, and presented by Major General Clements at Standerton 13 April
1902. He became Lieutenant Colonel 14 January 1901; Brevet Colonel 10
February 1904, and Colonel 25 February 1907; was Assistant Director of Dress
and Clothing, HQ of Army, from 25 February 1907. Colonel Pearse retired
from the Staff 25 February 1911. He wrote several books: 'The Memoirs of
Colonel Alexander Gardner'; 'The Crimean Diary of Lieutenant General Sir
Charles Windham'; 'The Hearseys' (1905); 'The Life of General Viscount Lake'
(1908) and 'The History of the East Surrey Regiment' (1916). Colonel Pearse
married, in 1899, Ada Gordon, daughter of Walter Scott, of Goldielea,
Kirkcudbrightshire, NB, and they had one son and one daughter.
