Jack Pearson

Sports shooter Jack Pearson specialised in small-bore rifle shooting, but was also a fine pistol shot. At the age of 21 he won two prizes at the 1947 Welsh Open small-bore meeting at Cardiff. Pearson, who served with the Preston Home Guard after World War II, won first prize in the service Rifle Competition at Bisley in 1950 for the highest aggregate score in the St George’s first stage, and the Duke of Gloucester, and Northland competitions. Pearson made his international début at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics where he finished 28th in the Free Rifle, Three Positions, 300 metres event.

By profession, Pearson was a production engineer for Leyland Motors based in the Lancashire town of the same name. In 1953 he moved to Canada with the company and worked at their factory near Montréal. He soon got involved in local shooting and took part in many events in the city. He became a member of the match rifle committee of the Canadian Corps of Amateur Marksmen, and was also captain of the Black Watch rifle team. In 1955 he was chosen to represent Canada in an international match against England.