Samuel Pearse

Sergeant Samuel George Pearse, VC, MM was an Australian-born soldier who served with distinction in both the Australian Imperial Force and the British Army during the early 20th century. During the First World War, Pearse saw combat during the final weeks of the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915 before transferring to the Western Front, where he fought from 1916 to 1918. Following the Armistice, he volunteered to fight as part of the North Russia Relief Force with the British Army during the North Russia Campaign in 1919.

On 29 August 1919, during an action at Emtsa in North Russia, Pearse single-handedly charged an enemy machine gun post. He succeeded in clearing the bunker but was killed in action immediately afterward. For his extraordinary bravery during this engagement, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Initially buried near the Obozerskaya railway station, his grave was lost for decades before being located by Russian volunteers in 2018. Today, Pearse is commemorated at the Archangel Allied Cemetery, and his decorations, including the Victoria Cross and Military Medal, are on display in the Hall of Valour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.