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COMMANDER // 1834–1909

Charles Pearson

lieutenant-generalUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland2 battles1 war

Lifespan

1834 – 1909

1840185018601870188018901900Anglo-Zulu War · 1879Battle of Inyezane — January 22, 1879 · British Empire · Anglo-Zulu WarSiege of Eshowe — February 7, 1879 · British Empire · Anglo-Zulu War

Active service 1879 — 2 battles across 1 war; first command at age 45.

Profile

Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Knight Pearson was a military commander in the British Army during the Anglo-Zulu War. Pearson was born in Somerset to Commander Charles Pearson of the Royal Navy. After buying the rank of Ensign in the 99th Regiment of Foot in 1852, Pearson served during the Crimean War where he was Mentioned in Despatches. After steadily rising through the ranks, Pearson was sent to South Africa to command a battalion of the 3rd Regiment of Foot. After retiring for a short period, he rejoined the Army after the outbreak of the Zulu War. Pearson was placed in command of a column of infantry which then became besieged at Eshowe for 70 days until Lord Chelmsford relieved them. After the war, Pearson became Governor and Commandant of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, then commander of forces in the West Indies, before retiring in 1885. Pearson died in 1909.

Source · Wikipedia · Q5081554

Battles (2)

Last verified June 2026
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