Sep 15, 1916
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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
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