‘Bachelor Uncle’
My Uncle George
George Edward PEARCE was born on 17 Oct 1909 in Peebles, Peeblesshire, Scotland as the fifth child of Francis George (Geordie) PEARCE and Isabella MacIntosh LUMSDEN.
He had two sisters: Auntie Tibbie (Isabella MacIntosh) and Auntie Ray (Sarah Elizabeth).
And two brothers: my dad Bill (William Louden) and Uncle Jim (James Finlay).
Apparently, they all doted on their little brother.
Not a great photo but little George is on the Left of his sisters and brothers.
George with his Mother Isabella Pearce
Eventually, the Pearce children grew up into hardworking adults - the men running the orchard after their father died. They married one by one, except for George. My mother said he was a popular young fellow and admired by all the ladies. One photo of him shows his excellent physique with very strong muscled arms.
Jim, Ray, Bill and George sorting fruit on the Orrvale orchard
George had enlisted in the militia on 31 Mar 1928 and was called up for World War II. Listed as Lieutenant VX 52859 AIF 2/14Bn. Australian Infantry: 06 Nov 1939. He was involved in training soldiers until he embarked for war on 07 Dec 1941. He arrived in France 01 April 1942
Lieut.George Edward Pearce
George with Jim (L) and Isobel (R) Richards, nephew and niece,
just before leaving for overseas, Dec 1941
He was injured 01 Jul 1942, but returned to fight. He was reported missing in Action 11 Sep 1942, but he and his group managed to fight their way back to camp. Later, on 28 Nov he was injured in action – a gunshot wound to the stomach. On 01 Dec he was placed on the dangerously ill list where he died in ‘46 Camp hospital’, 06 Dec 1942.
His death was announced in the paper back home on the same day as the news he had been awarded the Military Cross (for his soldiering 28 Aug to 01 Sep 1942, Isurava, NG).
His citation reads:
Lieutenant Pearce with excellent control and leadership held his troops together against repeated enemy attacks and personally led a fighting patrol into the enemy’s lines. Unaware that a general order to withdraw had been issued, he still continued to beat off enemy attacks. After his troops were pushed back some distance, Lieut. Pearce decided to break up the party and fight their way back in groups. It was four days before his group reached the lines, and during this time Lieut. Pearce showed grew skill and ability in getting his party back.
‘Shepparton News’ 14 Dec 1942.
‘A Fighting Leader
Lieut. George Pearce Dies of Wounds
In New Guinea Fighting’
Expressions of deep regret were heard at the weekend as news of the death on active service of Lieut. George Edward Pearce became more generally known in Shepparton and district.
Official information was conveyed to his mother and family late on Thursday by Rev. D McKnight Jones. This advice was to the effect that his death had occurred on Sunday, December 06 at a base hospital of the New Guinea Forces.
Lieut. Pearce who was born at Peebles, (Scotland) 33 years ago, was the youngest son of Mrs. and the late Mr. F. G. Pearce, of Orrvale, and came with his parents to this district when two years of age. Growing up here, he made many friends who recognized his sterling worth, which was hidden to casual observers, under a quiet exterior.
His main recreations were football and the militia. Playing with Lemnos, he was a sturdy defender on the half back line. Before hostilities broke out, he took an active interest in the militia and early in the war each attempt to enlist was frustrated by the authorities, who required him for instructional work at the local A.I.F. camp where he was Regimental Sergeant Major.
Ultimately his transfer to the A.I.F. was sanctioned and subsequently he went with reinforcements to the Middle East, later returning to Australia.
A few months ago, he was wounded in the left thigh, but soon recovered and was again in the fighting line. The second wound was in the stomach and letters from him led his family to believe he was making reasonably good progress, so that the sad news conveyed to them by their minister came as a great shock. Lieut. Pearce was a single man and is survived by his mother, two brothers and two sisters. His brothers are Cr. Wm Pearce and James, the latter being with the AIF “somewhere in Australia”, while his sisters are Mrs. Ray Richards and Sister “TIbby’ Pearce.
‘Shepparton News’ 14 Dec 1942.
George was buried in 1942 in Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby, New Guinea, Grave No: B1-D-11.
I never met my bachelor uncle but heard so much about him over the years, especially at Anzac Day time. Auntie TIbbie the oldest of the family always marched a wreath up to the memorial in his honour. I think she always felt that he was so young and should not have died before her. It is such a shame that so many young men and women lost their lives in the war and never survived to live out their natural lives.
- RIP Uncle George -
A comic interpretation of Uncle George's war experience that led to his award - the Military Cross.
