Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George was the third of seven children born on the 25th March 1919, at Penwortham in the Clare Valley of SA, adjacent to his hometown of Watervale now one of the prime wine growing areas of the state. His parents, Albert James and Balbina Pearce had six sons and one daughter, older siblings Philip and Irene and younger brothers, Harold, Edward, John David and Richard Thomas. Of these five were to also serve, Harold and Philip both in the 2/48th and George in the sister Battalion, the 2/43rd. Both brothers were to lose their lives in the fierce fighting. The two younger brothers, Edward and John David were to survive the war.
When he was ten years old, George’s father, Albert died in 1929 and was buried in the nearby Sevenhill Cemetery. (Mother Balbina lived until 1975 and was buried with her husband.)
George and his siblings attended the local Watervale School, after which George became a labourer, helping support his family. He returned to his old school for the celebration of the Centenary in ’36, which included a town procession involving many decorated vehicles, equestrians, and school children in fancy costume, culminating at the Soldiers’ Memorial Park. There, an extensive sports program followed in which George and his friend Rex Glaetzer won the wheelbarrow race.
With the outbreak of WWII, a very strong recruiting campaign was conducted for the A.I.F. in a huge drive to recruit fit young country men. Consequently, just after his 22nd birthday, George enlisted to serve on the 27th July 1940, the third of the brothers to do so. He was initially allocated the number SX9706 with the 2/14th Field Regiment but by February was with the 2/43rd Battalion. The Northern Argus regularly published a list of the ‘successful’ candidates with three of the Pearce boys being named. WATERVALE. — Henry V. W. Stopp, C. A. N. Glassenbury (rejected), William. E. Grace, Harold Pearce, L. S. Moyle, R. A. Ward, W. D. Dallisson, Phillip Pearce, George Pearce, M. Baillie.
Following pre-embarkation leave George was soon on board the Isle de France heading for the Middle East, arriving on the 14th May ‘41. He knew his brothers were also fighting there as Phillip was amongst the first to arrive in December 1940.
Just three months later, by August ’41 George was reported as being wounded in action with shrapnel wounds to his abdomen and was evacuated to hospital but his condition was so severe that he died of those wounds on the 16th August. Media speculation suggested he died of either gangrene setting in or the hospital being bombed. George was just 22 years old. He was buried in the field at the British Military Cemetery of Mersa Matruh the following day, in Grave No. 3, Plot 1, Row G.
John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ recorded that over the previous days there had been an ‘increase in enemy fire from mortars, artillery, and machine-guns, and our casualties were mounting’. Of importance was the reference to the work of the stretcher-bearers who ‘were doing a grand job. They were a fine group of men, who had been in the thick of the fighting, doing their job with great courage and with a devotion to duty of a high order. This small band had suffered heavy casualties in April, when five were killed in action. Their care of the wounded and their kindness brought forth praise of every man in the battalion.’ In terms of treating such severe injuries as those sustained by George, their greatest care was to have taken George to an Allied hospital where he was then amongst friends.
Back home, the Advertiser carried a very brief report ‘Died Of Wounds Pte. G. Pearce. SX9706. Inf. Watervale.’ The local Northern Argus was more forthcoming, patriotic and personal with their reporting of the Sevenhill, Watervale and Balaklava men Killed in Action; ‘the saddest period experienced by us in compiling our Honor Roll List’. The article continued: ‘THE LATE PRIVATE GEORGE PEARCE, OF WATERVALE. Mrs. Robert Pearce, of Watervale, who is a widow, has had three of her four sons on active service, and the sad news was received last week that George Pearce, aged about 22 years, had been killed in action. A brother — Harold Pearce was wounded some time ago, spent a period in hospital in Egypt, and has now re-joined his unit, while the third son, Phillip Pearce, is also on service in the Near or Middle East campaign. The thoughts of every citizen throughout the Watervale and surrounding districts go out to Mrs. Pearce in her sad loss, and her country has been honored in the giving of three fine sons of eligible military age to battle for us in the cause of freedom.’
Balbina Pearce’s grief was to be compounded the following year when she learnt that another son, 22-year-old Harold, who had been wounded previously, was also killed in action. The Northern Argus reported in November ’42: ‘THE LATE PRIVATE HAROLD PEARCE. The patriotic town and district of Watervale has had another sad fatality in the loss of Private Harold Pearce, aged 22, who has been recently notified as being killed on active service in the strenuous fight for liberty and freedom. His brother, Private George Pearce, was also killed on active service some time ago. All told the Pearce family have four sons on active service, and to have lost two such fine sons is indeed a very sad occurrence for the family. They are the sons of Mrs. A. J. and the late Mr. Pearce, of Watervale. The widespread sympathy of people of Watervale and many adjoining areas has been extended to the bereaved mother and family at their sad loss, but all the under-standing in the world cannot help to bring the loved ones back again. Nevertheless, the trials and tribulations of this global war have to be borne bravely, and many sad hearts have to pay the price of Victory and Peace. No men could do more than they have done to rally to the Empire's cause. The family loss is great, and while they are not alone in bereavement, we know that once having entered the fighting forces they become, and we become, all members of a great Empire family. Their loss is our loss also, and with all other sections of the community the 'Northern Argus' extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved. Of the fallen it may truly be said: — 'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.'
Within a week, the paper had again to report a further death, this time of Phillip Pearce: ‘Mother Loses Three Sons Killed in Action. THREE PEARCE BOYS, OF WATERVALE, KILLED IN ACTION. Mrs. A. J. Pearce, of Watervale, has six sons in the fighting forces, and word was received last week that Phillip Pearce had been killed an action. The names of the three who have made the supreme sacrifice are: — Private George Pearce, killed in August 1941. Private Harold Pearce, killed on October 25, 1942. Private Phillip Pearce, killed on October 31, 1942. Thus, the latest two casualties occurred in the same week and took place in the battle for Egypt and Lybia. Three other sons are in the fighting forces with the A.I.F. in Australian battle zones. They are Private John Pearce, Private Edward Pearce and Private William Pearce. The youngest son, Richard Pearce, aged 17 years, is the only son home at Watervale with his mother. The father died some years ago. The loss of three sons is indeed a terrible blow to Mrs. Pearce and her family. No one can measure the depth of her great sacrifice in having six sons fighting for King and Country. The deep sympathy of the whole countryside is with her in her sorrow.’
A tribute to George was placed in the Advertiser, 15 August 1942, PEARCE. —In loving memory of our dear brother George, who died on August 16, 1941. of wounds received at Tobruk. — Ever remembered by his brothers and sisters. PEARCE. —In loving memory of my dear son, George, who died of wounds on August 16, 1941, received in action at Tobruk. —Ever remembered by his sad mother.
On the 31st March, 1945 George was re-buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery Plot IV. Row F. Grave 2. He rests with others who died of their wounds from the 2/5, 2/6, 2/8 and Airforce. Balbina chose the simple inscription ‘His Duty Nobly Done. In God’s care.’ for his headstone and also for those of Harold and Phillip who were later also killed in action. They rest nearby, Harold in Plot XXII Row A Grave 3 and Phillip in Plot 16 Row D Grave 9.
Once peace was declared, Watervale conducted a grand welcome home dinner in September ’36 for those who had returned. For those who had not survived, a presentation was made to the family. Edward accepted this for his three brothers, Phil, George and Harold. All are remembered on the obelisk at the Watervale Memorial Park, with others who died during WWII: A. Pearce, Geo Pearce, Phil. Pearce, M. Payne, M. Nicolai, R. Dunstan and M. Baillie.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.