Name
Harold Charles Pearmain
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1944
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Fusilier
13033922
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Foiano Della Chiana War Cemetery
II. A. 1.
Italy
Headstone Inscription
A SMILING FACE THAT WON'T COME HOME NOW THEY HAVE SOUNDED THE LAST ALL CLEAR
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St. Saviour's Church Memorial, Hitchin, St. Mark’s Church Memorial, Hitchin, Hitchin Roll of Honour 1939 – 1945 (Book) St Mary’s Church, Hitchin, Letchworth Town Memorial
Biography
He was born in Hertfordshire and before joining the army in 1940 he had been employed by K & L Steelfounders of Letchworth for seven years. He was a resident of Hertfordshire when he enlisted into the army and was given Service Number 13033922. He sailed for the Mediterranean towards the end of 1942 and was killed in action in Italy serving in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers which was part of the 12th Infantry Brigade. Some references show his death as being in 1943 but the landings in Italy had not taken place at that time.
The 12th Infantry Brigade was part of the 4th Infantry Division in XIII Corps. On the day of his death the Corps was stopped near Chiusi to the west of Lake Trasimene and not far from Perugia. The Germans had created a delaying position to halt the Allies attacks towards Arezzo.
He is buried in Plot 2, Row A, Grave 1 in the Foiano Della Chiana War Cemetery in Italy. A private inscription on the headstone reads "A smiling face that won't come home now they have sounded the last all clear".
Married for only two years, his wife's name was Gladys Audrey Pearmain and their home was at 79, High Ave, Letchworth. He was the only son of Charles and Annie Pearmain of 53, Bearton Rd, Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, Paul Johnson - local historian, ‘Battle of Italy’ by W.G.F. Jackson, ‘Orders of Battle 1939-45’ by H.F. Joslen, ‘Second World War’ by J. Hammerton, Herts Pictorial dated 25th July and 1st Aug 1944, Herts & Beds Express dated 29th July 1944
