Coxswain Henry W. Pearson, an alderman of Deal, who died on 17th November, 1937, at the age of seventy- one, was second coxswain of the Walmer life-boat from 1909 to 1912, when the station was closed, and became the coxswain when the station was reopened in 1927. While he was an officer of the life-boat, 81 lives were rescued.

Coxswain Pearson retired in 1935 and was awarded a gratuity and a certificate of service. With his father, he was the owner of the last of the famous Walmer luggers by the help of which many lives and vessels were saved. He was a North Sea pilot, with an intimate knowledge of the English Channel and the North Sea, and he acted as pilot to many Channel swimmers.