Albert Pearce


Aug 9, 1891

Born in Romsey, Hampshire, England to Fred and Elizabeth Pearce

 

Jul 16, 1915

Attested into the 63rd Battalion CEF in Calgary, Alberta

Ø  Number 466676

Ø  Next of kin given as Elizabeth Pearce, mother, 46 Palmerston St., Romsey, Hampshire, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Range Fitter

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

Ø  Assigned to the battalion’s 1st Regimental Draft

 

Sep 11, 1915

The 63rd Battalion’s 1st Regimental Draft embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal

 

 
 

Sep 20, 1915

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Salisbury Plain where the entire draft was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion to continue training

 

Feb 2, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Feb 5, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Feb 17, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Pearce joined the 21st Battalion in the front line N & O trenches near Voormezeele, Belgium

 

Sep 15, 1916

During the Battle of the Somme the 21st Battalion was given the objective of capturing a strongly held German position in a sugar refinery south of Courcelette.  This was the first time that the Canadian Army made an attack with the support of the new tanks.  During the fierce fighting for control of the refinery, Private Pearce was declared to be missing in action.  When the fighting had subsided, he was officially declared to have been killed in action.  Because his identified body was never recovered from the battlefield, his name is honoured on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those killed during the war with no known grave.

 

 
Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Pearce, 46 Palmerston St., Romsey, Hants., England

 

Albert Pearce is also honoured on the War Memorial
in his home town of Romsey, England

 

 


Return to Tribute list

Home

Contact