An exceptionally rare Imperial Camel Brigade, Second Battle of Jordan, Distinguished Conduct Medal to Corporal A. P. Pearson, 18th Company, 4th Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps, who undertook dangerous reconnaissance of enemy territory in the vicinity of his post in Wadi Mellawah, during the 2 April to 8 May operations in the Jordan Valley.
Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2142 Cpl. A. P. PEARSON, AUST: L. H. DETAILS)
Condition: Extremely Fine.
Distinguished Conduct Medal London Gazette 3 Sept 1919. 2142 Corporal Arthur Percy Pearson. 4th Btn. I.C.C., 18th Coy. The recommendation states:
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations in Jordan Valley 2.4.18 to 8.5.18. He on more than one occasion gave his Company Commander very able assistance in connection with dangerous reconnaissance of enemy territory in the vicinity of his post in Wadi MELLAWAH. His conduct throughout was most exemplary and was worthy of the highest praise.'
The Imperial Camel Brigade was formed on 19 December 1916, under the command of Brigadier General Clement Leslie Smith, V.C. The brigade originally comprised three battalions, 1st (Australian), 2nd (British), and 3rd (Australian), plus supporting units. Each of the battalions had an authorised strength of 770 men and 922 camels. A battalion comprised four companies and a headquarters. The 4th (ANZAC) Battalion was raised in May 1917, but instead of increasing the brigade fighting strength, it was decided one battalion would always be resting and refitting, while three battalions served at the front.
To complete the brigade structure and supply added firepower, the brigade received some other units: the 265th (Camel) Machine Gun Squadron, with eight Vickers machine guns, and the Hong Kong and Singapore (Mountain) Battery, armed with six BL 2075 inch Mountain Guns. Despite their title, the battery was formed by men from the British Army. The brigade also had its own Royal Engineers (the 10th (Camel) Field Troop), a signal section, the Australian (Camel) Field Ambulance, and the 97th Australian Dental Unit, which with only four men was the brigade's smallest unit. The brigade included the ICC Mobile Veterinary Section, and the brigade's logistic units were the ICC Brigade Ammunition Column and the ICC Brigade Train, which carried enough supplies for five days. The total brigade strength was around 4,150 men and 4,800 camels
Early in 1918, the ICC moved to the area of the Jordan Valley and took part in the attack in March and April. TheFirst Battle of Amman was unsuccessful; after three days of battle the British were unable to break through the Ottoman defences around the city and had to withdraw. The 4th (Anzac) Battalion, of which Pearson was a member, did succeed in capturing Hill 3039 overlooking the city and managed to hold out for twenty-four hours in the face of artillery and infantry attacks, until ordered to withdraw. It was during these operations that Pearson distinguished himself and for which he was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
During the Second Transjordan attack on Shunet Nimrim and Es Salt, the camel brigade were assigned the western defence of the Jordan River ford at Umm esh Shert defending the left flank of the 4th Light Horse Brigade. The camel brigade was unable to support the light horsemen, which were attacked on the left flank and forced to withdraw.
When the EEF advanced out of the Sinai and into Palestine, the change in terrain led to the disbandment of the ICC.
Arthur Percy Pearson was a 24 year old Horse driver from Glanville, South Australia at the time of his enlistment on 3 Jan 1916. His name appears as one of those recently injured in the 334th Casualty List of Australians, published on 1 Sept 1917, and at the conclusion of the war, returned to Australia, arriving on 26 July 1919.
