Frank Stanley PEARCE

Frank Stanley PEARCE Update Details

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PEARCE, Frank Stanley

Service Number:	672
Enlisted:	7 July 1915
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	32nd Infantry Battalion
Born:	Port Augusta, South Australia, Australia, 29 April 1890
Home Town:	Gladstone, Northern Areas, South Australia
Schooling:	Gladstone Public School, South Australia, Australia
Occupation:	Mill Hand
Died:	Killed in Action, France, 19 July 1916, aged 26 years
Cemetery:	Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, Bethune, Nord Pas de Calais Plot I, Row L, Grave No. 57
Memorials:	Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Gladstone Memorial Fountain, Gladstone Public School WW1 Roll of Honor, Gladstone Town and District WW1 Honour Roll, Gladstone War Memorial, Terowie War Memorial

World War 1 Service

7 Jul 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, 672, Depot Battalion
18 Nov 1915:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 672, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: ''
18 Nov 1915:	Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 672, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Adelaide
19 Jul 1916:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 672, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix)

A mistake regarding date of death

Pte Frank Stanley Pearce was KIA on July 19th 1916. His family was initially advised that he was killed on July 17. Several weeks later the family received a trench card from Frank dated 19th July 1916. The family hoped that a mistake had been made and that Frank was still alive. The family made numerous enquiries with authorities and wrote to several of Frank's soldier mates who were still in France as they desperately tried to find out what happened and whether he was alive or wounded. Eventually the family received confirmation from the Army Chaplain that Frank was KIA on the night of July 19 1916. Letters from Frank's Army mates to family, also confirmed he had been killed, how he died and included was a photo of his grave.

Biography

"THE LATE PRIVATE F. PEARCE.

Mrs. E. L. Pearce, of Gladstone, has received news that her son, Private Frank Pearce, was killed in action on July 17 in France. He was 26 years of age, and liked by all who knew him. He had been specially selected for his skill in bomb throwing. Out of consideration for his widowed mother Private Pearce refrained from enlisting for some time, but at last he told her he must go. A brother resides at Blyth, and a sister, Miss M. Pearce, lives with her mother." - from the Adelaide Chonicle 26 August 1916 (nla.gov.au)

Virtual
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