David Pearson wears his father's medals. Photo / George Novak
David Pearson wears his father's medals. Photo / George Novak
World War II runs deep in the family of Tauranga RSA member David Pearson whose dad was captured in North Africa in 1942 when the Afrika Corp, led by Erwin Rommel, had allied forces on the run.
A further nine uncles on his father's and mother's sides of the familyalso served in the war, making it unsurprising that he became a staunch supporter of the RSA and its dawn service.
Mr Pearson, of Brookfield, was heartened by the massive turnout on Saturday to the Gallipoli centenary service, saying it was what the old diggers deserved. "I am proud to be here to remember them."
He wore his father's medals to the service and adjourned to the clubrooms. "I feel I am honoured, Dad loved Anzac Day, it was his special day."
Mr Pearson's military experience ended with compulsory military service. He was encouraged to enlist fulltime in the armed forces but Mr Pearson saw his father was struggling and so stayed on the family farm in the Hokianga. He was 5 years old when his father signed up for the army in 1940. "He was quite a stranger to me when he returned five years later."
His father was in the field ambulance when he was captured in 1942 after the general in charge refused to budge from their position, even although German tanks were plainly advancing.
"The next thing all hell let loose and they found themselves surrounded." It then went quiet and when his father popped his head above the trench, he was wounded on the side of the head.
Mr Pearson's father did not like talking about his hardships, however it was clear that the three years spent as a prisoner of war in Italy were very tough.
