Joseph William (Billy) PEARCE MC

PEARCE, Joseph William

Service Number: Officer
Enlisted: 18 March 1915, Ballarat, Victoria
Last Rank: Captain
Last Unit: 21st Infantry Battalion
Born: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 14 February 1886
Home Town: Ballarat, Central Highlands, Victoria
Schooling: Geelong College, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Mine Manager
Died: Killed In Action, Belgium, 4 October 1917, aged 31 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Golden Point State School, Ballarat Old Colonists' Club, Geelong College WW1 Roll of Honour, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient)
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World War 1 Service

18 Mar 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, Ballarat, Victoria
10 May 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 21st Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: ''
10 May 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 21st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne
29 Aug 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 21st Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli
9 Oct 1915: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 21st Infantry Battalion
23 Aug 1916: Honoured Military Cross, Battle for Pozières
23 Aug 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 21st Infantry Battalion
24 Aug 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, Captain, 21st Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , GSW (chest)
4 Oct 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Captain, 21st Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 21st Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Captain awm_died_date: 1917-10-04

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Biography contributed by Elizabeth Pearce

Captain Joseph William Pearce MC
No known grave, “Known unto God”
 
We shall not stand beside his grave,
And none shall point to where he lies.
We only know that he was brave,
He did not turn or swerve aside.
 
This officer was killed 04.10.1917, whilst gallantly leading his company to attack Broodseinde Ridge. This officer was held in very high esteem by all ranks and his men would follow him anywhere, as they had great affection for him. Capt. Pearce was fearless in action, and always showed himself as a born leader of men. His kindness and care for the men under his command especially endeared him to them. His death was more than an individual loss and was felt deeply by all in his battalion, as well as his many friends in other units. He leaves behind him his reputation as an officer and a gentleman, which will never fade from the minds of those who worked with him under his command.
 
A letter from Sergeant C.H. Wallis
21st Battalion A.I.F.
 
Dear Pearce,
 
This is just a line to congratulate you very heartily upon the award of the Military Cross, which has been made to you in recognition of the good work you did for us during the fighting around Pozieres. I well know how gallantly and ably you carried out reconnaissance work near Mouquet Farm on 22nd and 23rd of last month, and how you helped in guiding the relieving troops under heavy fire when others had been hit and become casualties. I know too, how you remained on duty the whole of the following day, even though you had been twice wounded, and how gallantly you behaved on every possible occasion, perhaps the least conspicuous being on the Southland, when I am fully cognisant of how you remained so pluckily at work in the engine room until the ship was brought into port. Thank you so much for all your good work, which I am so glad has now received this recognition.’
 
A letter from General Birdwood.
 
 
 

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