Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in Loxton, South Australia, Herbert Pierce was raised following the Congregationalist religion. The 19 year old law clerk, who resided with his Aunt, Ellen Meadows at 36 Florence Street, Goodwood, enlisted in Australian Imperial Force (AIF).  The circumstances surrounding his parents is unclear. His prior service in the Citizen Military Forces—one year with the 76th Regiment and two years with the 78th Regiment—accounted as the infrastructure for the skills he brought to World War I; militant discipline and skills. 

On the 23rd of August, Peirce joined the AIF as a private in the 32nd Battalion within the A company. This battalion was a sector of the 8th Brigade, primarily composed of volunteers from South Australia and Western Australia. Peirce embarked from Adelaide on November 18, 1915, aboard HMAT Geelong.

After a month-long journey, the 32nd Battalion arrived in Egypt, where Herbert and his fellow cadets underwent intensive training near the pyramids. From there, he joined the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front by sailing to France in June 1916 alongside a group of soldiers from a variety of battalions. Mere days into the front-line service, Herbert’s battalion faced a flood of fire at the Battle of Fromelles, a conflict notorious for its immense Australian casualties—and 75% of the battalion's strength and people were lost in a single evening.

In August of 1916, he dislocated his elbow, an injury sustained outside the line of duty. After recovering in Boulogne, he rejoined his unit in October of that year. By 1917, he had been reinforced for specialised training at the 5th Division Signalling School but was briefly hospitalised with mumps before returning to his battalion. March 1918 offered a brief period of respite for the soldiers due to harsh conditions.

As of  April 1918, Herbert was severely wounded by gas, an injury that would affect him for the remainder of his life, as well as a shrapnel to his thigh, resulting in hospitalisation in France and later in England. His injuries were severe enough to necessitate extended recovery at Colchester Military Hospital and the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford. These few months were vital for both his physical healing and for addressing the psychological toll of the war, as he later suffered from neurasthenia, a medical condition characterised by lassitude, fatigue and symptoms of PTSD, often brought on by trauma.

Repatriated to Australia aboard the Cluny Castle in March 1919, Peirce was discharged from service in July. His commitment and efforts to the war earned him the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, though these were marked "returned" in late 1924.

Dismally, his life post-war was brief and likely painful, both physically and emotionally. Herbert passed away on February 13, 1924, at the age of 28. He was buried in the AIF Cemetery at West Terrace, Adelaide. 

Born in Loxton, South Australia, Herbert Pierce was raised following the Congregationalist religion. The 19 year old law clerk, who resided with his Aunt, Ellen Meadows at 36 Florence Street, Goodwood, enlisted in Australian Imperial Force (AIF).  The circumstances surrounding his parents is unclear. His prior service in the Citizen Military Forces—one year with the 76th Regiment and two years with the 78th Regiment—accounted as the infrastructure for the skills he brought to World War I; militant discipline and skills. 

On the 23rd of August, Peirce joined the AIF as a private in the 32nd Battalion within the A company. This battalion was a sector of the 8th Brigade, primarily composed of volunteers from South Australia and Western Australia. Peirce embarked from Adelaide on November 18, 1915, aboard HMAT Geelong.

After a month-long journey, the 32nd Battalion arrived in Egypt, where Herbert and his fellow cadets underwent intensive training near the pyramids. From there, he joined the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front by sailing to France in June 1916 alongside a group of soldiers from a variety of battalions. Mere days into the front-line service, Herbert’s battalion faced a flood of fire at the Battle of Fromelles, a conflict notorious for its immense Australian casualties—and 75% of the battalion's strength and people were lost in a single evening.

In August of 1916, he dislocated his elbow, an injury sustained outside the line of duty. After recovering in Boulogne, he rejoined his unit in October of that year. By 1917, he had been reinforced for specialised training at the 5th Division Signalling School but was briefly hospitalised with mumps before returning to his battalion. March 1918 offered a brief period of respite for the soldiers due to harsh conditions.

As of  April 1918, Herbert was severely wounded by gas, an injury that would affect him for the remainder of his life, as well as a shrapnel to his thigh, resulting in hospitalisation in France and later in England. His injuries were severe enough to necessitate extended recovery at Colchester Military Hospital and the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford. These few months were vital for both his physical healing and for addressing the psychological toll of the war, as he later suffered from neurasthenia, a medical condition characterised by lassitude, fatigue and symptoms of PTSD, often brought on by trauma.

Repatriated to Australia aboard the Cluny Castle in March 1919, Peirce was discharged from service in July. His commitment and efforts to the war earned him the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, though these were marked "returned" in late 1924.

Dismally, his life post-war was brief and likely painful, both physically and emotionally. Herbert passed away on February 13, 1924, at the age of 28. He was buried in the AIF Cemetery at West Terrace, Adelaide.