Selected Biography

Pearce, Edward Mayes [DCM] – Born: Hastings, Sussex on 29.3.1891.[1]  Parents: Mayes Wigg Pearce (Licensed Victualler) and Elizabeth [née Hardinge].  Home: Duke of Cornwall, Post Office Passage, Hastings (1891), 73 Durham Road, Finchley, London (1901), Royal Artillery Barracks, Headley, Hampshire (1911), Venetian Cottage, Glemsford, Suffolk [1919 to 1923].  Occupation: Soldier (1911) to [1930].  Married: Edith Bessie Harris [School Teacher in Long Melford] in 1924.[2]  Service Record: In 1911 Edward was serving as a Gunner with 126^th Battery, XXIX Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.  On 23.8.1914 he was posted to France initially as Corporal, then as Sgt.57121, seeing action during the Somme Offensive of 1916.  Sometime in 1916 he was transferred to ‘B’ Battery, XCIV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and while serving with this unit was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.[3]  The citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry, during a heavy bombardment when the gun teams had been withdrawn, he remained at the guns with a gunner who was mortally wounded.  He brought him water at very great personal risk.[4]  On 15.9.1916 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, being promoted on 15.3.1918 to the rank of Lieutenant.  Pearce continued as a career soldier after the War and by the time of his marriage in Long Melford in 1924 was serving with 13^th Battalion RFA, retiring from active service in 1930.[5]  Died: Poole, Dorset in 1973.

Notes – [1] Date of birth from Death Index, however the Army List records his birth date as 11.4.1891. [2] For his military status see Marriage Register 26.4.1924, Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford. [3] For details of 29^th and 94^th Brigades’ movements see War Diaries [WO 95/1466/5] and [WO 95/2141/3]. [4] For notification of his DCM see London Gazette 21.6.1916. [5] Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372] and Army List July-December 1940 Officers on Retired Pay p.1571.