Private Eddie Pearce
1st Battalion, AIF
Service Number: 4107
Born: 1891, Yarramundi
Died: 19 August 1916, Pozieres, France
Eddie Pearce was born in 1891 at Yarramundi to Edward and Alvina Pearce. He grew up on a farm at Agnes Banks. The local community were nearly all related being the Pearce, Williams and Freeman families.
Pearce enlisted on 26 September 1915. His Unit embarked from Sydney on 30 December on board HMAT Medic. By the end of March 1916 Pearce had arrived in France. He was killed by an exploding shell on 19 August 1916. According to Private Robinson, Pearce was buried where he fell. On 10 December his mother wrote to the authorities stating that ‘the Parson brough (sic) us word that he was killed in action’. She wanted to know what had ‘become of him’ and of his belongings. She also inquired about his pay.
Two other brothers from this family also joined up. Frank enlisted in January 1915 and returned to Australia in 1919. James (Jim) enlisted in January 1917 and fought in Belgium and France before returning to Australia in 1919.
Memorial Details:
- Sunken Road Cemetery, Contalmaison, France
- Honor Roll, Smith Park, Castlereagh
Sources:
- National Archives of Australia: B2455, PEARCE EDDIE
- Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
- Red Cross Wounded and Missing
- Penrith City Library Biography files
- Nepean Times(Trove)