Vale MAJ GEN Sandy Pearson

Major General Cedric Maudsley Ingram ‘Sandy’ Pearson AO, DSO, OBE, MC (retired) was farewelled with full military honours at Newington College in Sydney today.

Born in Kurri Kurri, NSW, Major General Pearson graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1940 and went on to have an extensive military career spanning 36 years. He saw active service in World War II and Vietnam.

Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley AC, DSC remembered Major General Pearson as an exceptional member held in high esteem by all who knew him.

“I have admired Major General Pearson since my first days at RMC,” General Hurley said.“The enormous respect shown by all who served with him marked him as an outstanding leader.”

Known for his dedication to duty, Major General Pearson was awarded the Military Cross for his efforts at Maprik Ridge during World War II where he demonstrated his ability to lead by example and motivate his troops.

On multiple occasions, Major General Pearson exposed himself to enemy fire with complete disregard for his own safety to enable his platoons to advance up an almost vertical slope. Later, on his own initiative, Major General Pearson led an attack on the enemy, enabling the battalion to advance 2000 yards.

Major General Pearson was also awarded the Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for his role as Commander of the 1st Australian Task Force in Vietnam and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his leadership of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. In 1975 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.

In his later years of service he was the Commandant of the Royal Military College Duntroon and Chief of Personnel at Army Headquarters.

After retiring from the Army in 1975, Major General Pearson continued to hold leadership roles, as Executive Director of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and as Director of Brickworks Limited.

Major General Pearson passed away at Narrabeen in New South Wales on 7 November 2012, aged 94. A beloved father and grandfather, he is survived by daughters Sandra and Elizabeth and son James.

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