Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of the Revd and Mrs T.E. Peirce of Maitland, Australia.

Sidney Ernest Peirce (high distinction in chemistry, physics, and mathematics; Levey scholarship for chemistry and physics; Slade prize for practical chemistry)

The Rev. T. E. Peirce, of East Maitland, has received news that his son, Fred., who is with the Light Horse in Palestine, has been wounded. He secured the degree of B.Sc. at the Sydney University, and  enlisted before he was 19 years of age. Since going on active service he has been awarded the Barker travelling scholarship. He is with his older brother, Corporal Harold L. Peirce, who was among the  last of the troops to leave Gallipoli. His oldest brother, Lieut. S. E. Peirce, B.Sc. (Sydney), M.C., of the K.O. Yorkshire Light Infantry, died of wounds just at the time Fred. left Sydney for Egypt in December, 1915.

Late Lieut. Peirce.
The Rev. T. E. Peirce, editor of or the Maitland 'Mercury,' has received a letter from Lieut-Colonel Haselgiave, of the 4th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, enclosing a gallantry card showing that his son, the late Lieut. S. E. Peirce, who died in December last from wounds received in the trenches while fighting in Flanders, had distinguished himself in the field on December 19. Lieut.-Colonel Haselgrave writes: 'Had he lived' he would have received the Military Cross, and I much regret that his decoration cannot be given to you, owing to the fact that the V.C. is the only posthumous  decoration awarded. We are very proud that he earned a Military Cross by his gallant conduct, and it will, I am sure, be some consolation to you to know that fact.'