04/11/2026
Harold Roy Pearson (my Dad), known to family, friends and the Arncliffe community as “Roy”.
Harold Roy Pearson – A Life of Service, Community and Dedication
Harold Roy Pearson was born in Arncliffe on 8 November 1926 and passed away just days short of his 100th birthday. His life spanned a century of extraordinary change, but throughout those years one thing remained constant: his commitment to family, friends, service and the community he called home.
Roy was more than a familiar face around Arncliffe. He was a man who believed in giving back, putting his hand up to help and contributing wherever he could. His passing marks the end of an era for many people who knew him, worked alongside him and shared in the community life that he helped shape.
A young man who answered the call
Roy's story of service began during the Second World War. Growing up in a family with a strong tradition of military service, he developed a deep desire to serve his country.
Although only 18, Roy enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in November 1944, becoming a Leading Aircraftman.
His training took him to Cootamundra, Adelaide and Melbourne before he was posted to the important RAAF base at Tocumwal in southern New South Wales. There, he undertook various duties, including guarding aircraft and supporting the operations of the base.
Roy was at Tocumwal when the war ended in 1945. He also recalled seeing the famous Lancaster bomber, G for George, arrive at the airfield.
His wartime experiences left a lasting impression. In a later interview with the NSW Government, Roy spoke about the friendships he made, the camaraderie of service life and the confidence that his Air Force experience gave him.
He was proud to have served Australia, and his recollections provided a valuable personal connection to a generation whose stories must never be forgotten.
NSW War Memorials Register+1
A lifetime of service to Arncliffe
Returning to civilian life, Roy continued to demonstrate the same spirit of service that had characterised his wartime years.
Arncliffe and the surrounding district were central to his life. He understood the importance of local organisations, sporting clubs, community groups and the people who volunteered their time to keep them operating.
His involvement with Arncliffe Presbyterian Soccer Club began in 1949. Over the years, he became a significant figure in church football, serving as Secretary of the NSW Protestant Churches Soccer Association for 25 years.
His contribution to soccer was recognised when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the sport in 1988.
Roy also served as Director of the Sports Union at the University of Sydney, further demonstrating his commitment to encouraging participation in sport and supporting sporting organisations.
His famous corner store at Turrella, affectionately known as "Courtesy Corner", was another part of his community legacy. It was more than just a place to purchase everyday necessities; it became a familiar neighbourhood landmark, associated with Roy's friendly nature and willingness to help others.
A proud member of Arncliffe RSL
Another important chapter in Roy's life was his long association with the Arncliffe RSL Club.
As Treasurer of the club, Roy accepted the responsibility of helping oversee its finances and supporting the organisation's work. His involvement reflected his continuing respect for veterans and the importance of maintaining a place where former servicemen and women could meet, remember and support one another.
The Arncliffe RSL was not simply an organisation to Roy. It represented mateship, remembrance and the enduring bonds formed through military service.
Roy understood that the freedoms enjoyed by future generations had come at a tremendous cost, and he believed that those who had served deserved to be remembered with dignity and respect.
Anzac Day – a commitment to remembrance
Anzac Day held a particularly special place in Roy's heart.
Each year, he proudly took part in the Anzac Day marches through the streets of Sydney, joining fellow veterans and members of the RSL community to honour those who had served Australia.
For Roy, marching was never simply about ceremony. It was about remembering mates, paying tribute to those who never returned and ensuring that the sacrifices of earlier generations were not forgotten.
As the years passed and the number of Second World War veterans diminished, Roy's presence at these commemorations became even more meaningful.
He represented a living link to a generation that had experienced war first-hand and understood the true value of peace.
His participation in the marches was a quiet but powerful expression of his pride in Australia and his respect for the Anzac tradition.
A legacy recognised beyond the local community
Roy's contribution extended well beyond Arncliffe. His commitment to sport, community organisations and public service earned him the respect of people across Sydney and New South Wales.
In 1988, his name appeared in the Australia Day Honours List, recognising his services to soccer. It was an acknowledgement of decades of dedication to an activity that had brought people together and provided opportunities for generations of young Australians.
Governor-General of Australia+1
He was also someone who understood the importance of preserving local history and passing experiences on to younger generations. In 2023, Roy spoke with students at Kogarah Community College about his wartime experiences, giving them a firsthand insight into the realities of military service and the importance of remembrance.
kccs.com.au
A century of memories, a lifetime of friendships
As Roy approached his 100th birthday, there was so much to reflect upon.
From his early days growing up in Arncliffe, to his wartime service in the RAAF, his involvement in football, his years at Courtesy Corner, his work at Sydney University and his dedication to Arncliffe RSL, Roy's life was woven into the history of the local community.
He belonged to a generation that understood hard work, loyalty, responsibility and the importance of looking after one another.
He was a familiar face at community gatherings, a respected figure in sporting circles and a proud veteran who never forgot those who had served alongside him.
His passing, just shy of his 100th birthday, is a sad occasion for his family, friends, fellow veterans and the wider Arncliffe community.
While he may no longer be there to march on Anzac Day, attend an RSL gathering or share another story about the old days, the memories he created and the contribution he made will live on.
Harold Roy Pearson OAM was a man who gave a lifetime of service to his country, his community and the people around him.
He served Australia in wartime, served his community in peacetime and spent almost a century making a difference to the lives of others.
As we remember Roy, we can take comfort in knowing that his legacy will remain part of Arncliffe's history for generations to come.
Lest We Forget.
