He married Selina Smart in the General Baptist Church in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England on 6 April 1851.

He was aged 25 and was a private in the 8th Hussars, living in the barracks in Trowbridge, the son of Stephen Pearson, a gardener.

Four men in this action, Pearson, Clement Walker Heneage, Joseph Ward, and George Hollis were awarded the Victoria Cross, the joint citation reading as follows:[1] 8th Hussars, Captain (now Brevet-Major) Clement Walker Heneage, No.

Selected for the Victoria Cross by their companions in the gallant charge made by a squadron of the Regiment at Gwalior, on the 17th of June, 1858, when, supported by a division of the Bombay Horse Artillery, and Her Majesty's 95th Regiment, they routed the enemy, who were advancing against Brigadier Smith's position, charged through the rebel camp into two batteries, capturing and bringing into their camp two of the enemy's guns, under a heavy and converging fire from the Fort and Town.

He died on 18 April 1892 in Lion's Head, Eastnor Township, Bruce County, Ontario after emigrating to Canada.